What are the characteristics of Bunraku?

It is a sophisticated, intricate art form Bunraku puppets are typically half life-size, and each figurine is operated by three puppeteers – a lead puppeteer who manipulates the puppet’s head, face and right hand, and two assistants who manoeuvre its left hand and legs.

What are some of the different performer roles in Bunraku theatre?

Three kinds of performers take part in a bunraku performance: the Ningyōtsukai or Ningyōzukai (puppeteers), the tayū (chanters), and shamisen musicians.

How many performers are speaking in a bunraku performance?

three performers
Bunraku puppets are about one-half life size and each is operated by three performers: a principal operator and two assistants.

Why is it called Bunraku?

The term bunraku comes from the name of a puppet theater in Osaka, the Bunrakuza, associated with the refinement and promotion of the puppet theater in the late nineteenth century. The characters used to write the term bunraku (文楽) mean the delight (raku) of literary arts (bun).

Who are the main characters in a bunraku show?

Bunraku puppeteers, narrators, and musicians are traditionally of the male gender. Props are usually minimized so that the audience may focus primarily on the puppets. The main puppeteer is generally the star of the show and who most of the audience comes to see.

What kind of Entertainment is bunraku in Japan?

Bunraku (pronounced boon-rakoo) is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre characterized by almost life-sized puppets accompanied by narrative chanting and shamisen music (a shamisen is a traditional Japanese string instrument). While puppet theatre is often seen as entertainment for children, the Japanese people consider Bunraku…

Who are the puppeteers in the bunraku theatre?

The puppeteer’s art requires long training to achieve perfect synchronization of movement and thoroughly lifelike actions and portrayal of emotions in the dolls. Japanese Bunraku theatre; woodblock print by Utashige, 19th century. The puppeteers appear on stage with their puppets; the narrator is shown at the right.

When did the Bunraku Theatre reach its height?

Japanese Bunraku theatre; woodblock print by Utashige, 19th century. The puppeteers appear on stage with their puppets; the narrator is shown at the right. Puppet theatre reached its height in the 18th century with the plays of Chikamatsu Monzaemon.