Bunraku Performance in May

Bunraku Performance in May

Venue: Theatre 1010
Performance Dates
May 10 (Sun.) - May 25 (Mon.), 2026
No performance on 18 (Mon.)

Program Ⅰ (11:00 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.)
Ninin Kamuro
Shōutsushi Asagao Banashi Part 1

Program II （2:45 p.m. - 6:10 p.m.）
Shōutsushi Asagao Banashi Part 2

Program III（6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Iseondo Koi no Netaba

*The finish time is an estimate and may vary.

Ticket Prices (tax included)
(ProgramI / ProgramII)
Adults: ¥9,000
Students: ¥6,300

(ProgramIII)
Adults: ¥6,000
Students: ¥4,200

Seating plan [PDF/504KB]
*Only first floor seats are available.

*Japanese audio guides are available for rent. (for a fee) Click here for details of audio guide.
*Subtitles: Available in English and Japanese. Please download the application to your smartphone or tablet. How to install EG-G Subtitle application.
*English synopsis is available. It is included in the paid Japanese brochure.

Booking Opens
10:00 a.m., April 14 (Tue.), 2026
*20% discount for audiences with disabilites and one accompanying audience.
*If there are still tickets available for purchase on the day of the event, you may purchase them in person at the Box Office (on-site) for this performance.
　Box Office (on-site) : Open from 10:00 a.m. until each curtain time.
*Tickets for students and persons with disabilities for this performance are available online.
*Wheelchair spaces are available. For more details, please contact the Box Office.

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Box Office (by phone)
0570-07-9900 (From overseas: +81-3-3230-3000) in Japanese and English (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Book Online

Click here for information in Japanese

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Bunraku is a traditional Japanese theatrical art, where the story and characters’ emotions are expressed through "Jōruri" performed by "Tayū (chanters)" and "Shamisen players,” while the "Ningyō-Tsukai (puppeteers)," three puppeteers working in unison, manipulate a single puppet.

*Shamisen is a traditional instrument with three strings.

The National Theatre's Bunraku Performance in May produces a program that beautifully evokes the spirit of early summer in Japan. Program III, which begins at 6:45 p.m., offers a concise and captivating introduction to a Bunraku masterpiece—an ideal choice for first-time attendees.

Program I (starting at 11:00 a.m.) opens with "Ninin Kamuro," a delightful dance that features two young girls at play. The program continues with the first half of "Shōutsushi Asagao Banashi," which artfully explores the subtle emotions of two lovers separated by circumstance. Miyuki, the daughter of a samurai, and Miyagi Asojirō, a samurai, meet by chance while watching fireflies along the Uji River and fall in love. They are briefly reunited under the moonlight at Akashi Bay but are soon parted by fate. When Miyuki is ordered by her parents to marry Komazawa Jirōzaemon—and realizes she cannot be with Asojirō—she flees her home. The poignant journey of these star-crossed lovers is sure to move audiences deeply.

Program II (starting at 2:45 p.m.) presents the concluding half of "Shōutsushi Asagao Banashi." Overwhelmed by grief, Miyuki cries until she loses her sight and adopts the name Asagao, living by the roadside. Unbeknownst to her, Asojirō has inherited his uncle’s name and position as Komazawa Jirōzaemon. The question remains: will Komazawa and Asagao ever be reunited? This compelling story, woven with clever twists and emotional depth, culminates in a miraculous finale that is sure to leave a lasting impression. A comical scene occurs when Yūsen, smitten with Asagao, accidentally drinks laughing powder, showcasing the remarkable artistry of both the narration and the puppetry.

Program III (starting at 6:45 p.m.) is a brisk 75-minute performance that serves as an accessible introduction to Bunraku through the celebrated play "Iseondo Koi no Netaba," the story of a man at the mercy of a famed sword. This gripping tale centers on Fukuoka Mitsugi, an attendant at Ise Shrine, who visits the Aburaya pleasure house in search of an appraisal certificate for the famed sword Aoe Shimosaka on behalf of his former master. There, he is rebuffed by Manno, a waitress aiding a rival samurai, and is abandoned by his beloved Okon. Pushed to his limits, Mitsugi seizes the sword, leading to a series of suspenseful confrontations. The dynamic interplay between Mitsugi and Manno, coupled with the puppetry’s inventive staging, promises a gripping experience. Audiences will also enjoy the expressive music, from the traditional Ise Ondo melody to the richly varied Shamisen accompaniment in the latter scenes.