Where does bunraku come from?

2 years ago

3 minutes

Bunraku (文楽) (also known as Ningyō jōruri (人形浄瑠璃)) is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre, founded in Osaka in the beginning of the 17th century, which is still performed in the modern day.

Who invented bunraku?

Yoshida Bunzaburō

The technique was developed by Yoshida Bunzaburō, master puppeteer of the Takemoto-za and required three manipulators: the master (omozukai) holding the wooden head and its control in his left hand and the right hand of the puppet in his right hand; the first assistant (hidarizukai) holds the left hand of the puppet; …

Where did bunraku originate from and how?

Bunraku (文楽) is the traditional puppet theater of Japan. It started of as popular entertainment for the commoners during the Edo Period in Osaka and evolved into artistic theater during the late 17th century. Along with noh and kabuki, it is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

What is bunraku 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).

Where does the name bunraku come from?

The term Bunraku derives from the name of a troupe organized by puppet master Uemura Bunrakuken in the early 19th century; the term for puppetry is ayatsuri and puppetry theatre is more accurately rendered ayatsuri jōruri.

How does bunraku reflect Japanese culture?

Bunraku developed from this weaving of puppetry, music, and storytelling for a unique dramatic presentation. Traditional Japanese Bunraku (also called Banraku) features elaborate costumes, intricate movements, traditional music, and epic stories. The puppeteers are dressed in black and are in full view to the audience.

What makes bunraku unique?

“The beauty of Bunraku perhaps lies in the little things: the nuance of the slight tilting of the puppets’ heads and the almost imperceptible waver of the narrator’s sing-song”, he added. “This is what makes Bunraku unique and simply wonderful”.

When was the bunraku puppet made?

Bunraku style puppetry was created in the 17th century in the city of Osaka, the third largest city in Japan. Osaka is still home to the National Bunraku Theatre of Japan. Bunraku was created through two separate performance styles merging together: puppetry, whose Japanese name is ayatsuri.

How is bunraku different from other types of puppetry?

Bunraku puppets are made of wood and are anywhere between one to four feet in height. The puppets don’t actually have full bodies; only the head, hands, legs, and feet are crafted. These are connected with string while the torso is simulated using a kimono.