Bunraku is a traditional stage art performed with puppets. It is performed by a narrator, a Shamisen (a string instrument) player and three puppeteers. The Bunraku puppet theater developed as a form of entertainment for the common folk, much later than Noh or Kabuki. Originally, the narrative art of Joruri originated from Noh drama. Later, Joruri evolved into the popular Buraku in the middle of the 16th century, where a Shamisen and puppets were included. Most of the story lines performed in Bunraku are the same as in Noh or Kabuki.
A Bunraku puppet is composed of a head, shoulder board, trunk, arms and legs. Its eyes can move in all direction, its eyebrows can be raised and lowered, and its mouth can open and close. There are about 70 different traditional types of heads
The Bunraku theater requires three puppeteers: a Chief Handler (Omo-zukai), a Left Handler (Hidari-zukai) and a Leg Handler (Ashi-zukai). The Chief Handler takes the lead in manipulating the puppet. He wears tall clogs to raise himself high enough to hold the puppet at the proper height above the stage railing. His left arm handles the head of the puppet, while his right arm operates the right arm of the puppet. The Left Handler controls the left arm of the puppet with his right hand. The Leg Handler crouches and grasps rings attached to the heels of the puppet and makes the puppet walk, run, sit, kneel or squat. The three puppeteers are dressed entirely in black with black translucent hoods over their heads. Occasionally the chief handler leaves his head and face bare, on special occasion. When the team of puppeteers perform in perfect unison, the puppet's face clearly displays emotions, and the puppets appear to take on a life of their own.
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To see a larger image of each piece, click on the image (~100K).
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1) Princess Yaegaki
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2) Osome
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3) Masao
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4) close up of item 3
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5) Young prince
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6) Sanbasou dancer
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7) close up of item 6
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