IB Theater Research: Bunraku (Japan)

Call Numbers

• PL738.J6         Japanese literature -- History -- Jōruri. Sekkyōbushi.
• PL768.J6         Japanese literature -- Collections -- Jōruri. Sekkyōbushi. Also check individual authors' call numbers for .
• PN1978.J3      Puppet theater in Japan

Subject Headings

• Bunraku: Here are entered works on the traditional style professional puppet theater of Japan which features chanted text, musical accompaniment, and the three man operation of each puppet.
• Bunraku puppets
• Jōruri—Texts: Used for Bunraku plays and Jōruri puppet plays.
• Puppet plays, Japanese

This is a famous type of puppetry in Japan called "Bunraku". Three people in black clothing and hoods are needed to make the magic happen: one controls the right arm and head, one the feet, and one the left arm. A Bunraku Troupe came to Yasuda to demonstrate how these dolls are used. This was a cute little demo the main guy gave so we could understand why they do what they do. Very cute, very impressive!

An example of Bunraku in action. Notice the sometimes sharp and sometimes fluid movements of the puppets. Kabuki actors often mimc this style. The men operating the puppets are dressed in black and are assumed to be invisible. The most skilled of the puppeteers manipulates the face and frequently his own face is visible. The music you hear is called joruri.

Click here to access the ebook in Questia.

The Noh Theater - Kunio Komparu

ISBN: 9780834815292

Publication Date: 1983-10-01

A very goood-introduction to Noh theatre, its history, aesthetics, style, music, and other aspects.