Its Birth
Where did Bunraku begin?
Dotonbori/Osaka
How many elements are there in Bunraku?
Three
What does the puppeteer check every morning?
His fingers.
How many days do they have to rehearse?
One!
In the story, what divided the country 800 years ago?
A war.
When did Bunraku begin?
About 340 years ago
Who/What are the three specialized performers?
Puppeteers/Shamisen Players/Joruri Voice Artists
With which hand does the puppeteer operate the puppet's head?
Left
Do they have rules on stage?
No.
Who is the main character?
The defeated warlord Tomomori.
What was Dotonbori in the Edo Period?
A theatre district like Broadway
What does the TAYU voice artist do?
Tells the story and speaks the dialogue.
How many puppeteers are used in Bunraku?
Three
What happens if they do not harmonize?
Someone is wrong.
What does he want to do?
Get revenge (of Yoshitsune).
What are the plays based on?
Real life incidents/local scandals
Up to how many characters can there be in one Bunraku play?
14
Who makes the puppets?
The puppeteers.
How do they feel when everything comes together?
Great! They get goosebumps.
Where does Tomomori go?
To the sea.
What did they resemble?
Wide shows
What is the Shamisen player's music like?
Opera music
What must the puppeteer balance?
Technique and feeling.
Do they always have the thrill of everything coming together?
No. Only sometimes.
What happens to Tomomori in the end?
He dies.