Program

This performance “Discover BUNRAKU” consists of two parts to guide you to the world of BUNRAKU.

1An Introduction to Bunraku in English

　So that you can further enjoy the Bunraku performances, a performer will explain the techniques and charms of Bunraku, a traditional Japanese performing art that has more than 300 years of history. This is a segment unique to the Bunraku performance for beginners.

2Performance:
“Ninokuchimura” from Keisei Koi Bikyaku

　“The person whom I hate is not my thief child but any official who arrests him.” An abiding love for one’s child even if he/she is a criminal, and a human life stuck in obligation and responsibility to others. This is a poignant Ningyō Jōruri masterpiece that painfully depicts a father who is torn between his unconditional parental love and his duty as a human.

　Chūbē, an owner of a courier firm in Osaka, misappropriates money entrusted to him. He escapes to his hometown of Ninokuchi-mura village, traveling through the snow along with his lover, the courtesan Umegawa. On arrival, they take refuge in the house of an old acquaintance of Chūbē. When Chūbē chances to look out of the window, he finds his father Magoemon, who he realizes has unintentionally become the father of a criminal. Feeling nostalgic, Chūbē longs to talk to Magoemon, but he cannot, considering the current situation. Suddenly, Magoemon slips and falls down on the snowy road. Seeing this, Umegawa instinctively runs out of the house and cares for the old man. While talking with Umegawa, Magoemon realizes who she is. He knows, however, that he cannot see his beloved son because it will lead to his arrest. Umegawa is sorely aware of his feelings. This is a famous scene depicting a tense escape journey in which the warm feelings of affection among the characters will strike a chord in every audience member’s heart.

A free audio guide in English or Japanese is available for this program,
along with English subtitles and a free multilingual booklet (in English,
Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French and Japanese)
that includes the highlights and outline of the story.

What's BUNRAKU?

　BUNRAKU is one of Japan’s representative traditional performing arts, designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2003.
　It was in Osaka that Bunraku has been developed over 300 years. It i s a closely collaborative form which synchronizes narrative recitation, shamisen music and puppetry in performance and is praised as the most highly sophisticated puppet theatre art in the world. The narrator, Tayu, portrays not only the voices and emotions of all characters but also the locations and seasonal scenes of the story by himself. Shamisen player acts out the lines of the play and the characters’ appearance and personality. One puppet is operated by three puppeteers, which is very unique in the world. The main puppeteer manipulate the head and right hand, and the left hand and legs are operated by each puppeteer.
　For details, please see Invitation To Bunraku . You can learn more about BUNRAKU before the performance.

Invitation to BUNRAKU

Tickets