Japanese Puppet Show, 2007.
“Bunraku is exceptionally disconcerting.”
This is what my friend said after we watched this video. The Bunrako style of Japanese theatre is both curious and unnerving. The puppets are extremely lifelike, to the point where you would think they were real if it was dark or you were tired, but they are artificial enough to let you know they do not have lives of their own. This is a particularly dramatic performance where the main character is in great turmoil.
Bunrako began in the 1700s and is a traditional favorite of the Japanese. They are dramatic plays with a narrator and a shamisen musical instrument. The puppets have three controllers: one for each side of the body (hands and face) and a person to do the puppet’s speaking part (narration of the story). The eyes can move and the face has more detailed expressions than most puppets ever do. Many find this style of theatre beautiful and entertaining, but I still need to think about how to overcome the cultural barriers so I can truly appreciate these works.
