Outside the Bunraku theatre
- The omo-zukai (head puppeteer) operates the doll’s head & face holding a stick and levers.
staged clogs or elevated clogs are used by the head puppeteer
It takes 3 puppeteers to bring each puppet to life and takes years of extensive training
Michelle and Kasey
we visit backstage before watching a Bunraku show
“Bunraku is a traditional puppet theatre of Japan which is accompanied by joruri music and the puppeteers are seen by the audience. It takes 3 puppeteers to operate one puppet and are seen wearing all black. On the audience’s right is a stage of chanters and shamisen players. Instruments on the musician stage include flutes, stick and hand drums and bells that create wind, rain and flowing river.” -(Japan Arts Council)
We walk through the Shinsekai area and some of us experience the clinic of moxibustion and acupuncture and Tsuntenkaku tower.
Thanks to Nishino-san and Osaka Evening RC for hosting us on our last cultural day. Thanks to Shinagawa-san for translating. Also, thanks to Osaka Abeno RC for hosting our last Kai-seki and afternoon in the Shinsekai area.
This is an experience that needs to be on your itinerary when you bring Liz, Steve, and I to Japan. I have always wanted to go to a Bunraku performance.