Bunraku Elements

1. Puppeteers are dressed all in black. 2. Puppeteers are always seen on stage face covered controlling the puppets. 3. The tradition begin starts off with striking wooden clappers and a call to both sides of the theatre: East West! East West! 4. We are introduced to the musicians and the name of the narrator. 5. The title of the Act that is going to be performed is announced. 6. He exits the stage and the Bunraku begins. 7. Each puppet is manipulated by three puppeteers. 8. All scenes are performed with narration and musical accompaniment. 9. The Narrator (Gidayu) speaks, sings, chants and emotes for all the characters on stage. 10. Classic stories are based on the conflicts between Giri (ones social obligation/duty) and Ninjo (ones human feelings and desires). 11. Other classical stories are Japanese history plays. 12. Sometimes the story includes a dance (Keigoto) for the puppets this takes LOADS of coordination. 13. Bunraku Plays are traditionally 6 Acts (dans) one dan usually was divided into three parts (opening, middle and close) now there are only 5 Acts. 14. Every dan has a ha dramatic development and a kyu an ending or coda.

1st dan: the prelude and introduction to the drama 2nd dan: the beginning of the development 3rd dan: the central climatic section of the development 4th dan: the pivotal point in the dramatic development 5th dan: the conclusion to the drama

15. The puppeteer that controls the right arm and head is the lead puppeteer

FUN FACT: Buraku started to decline when Kabuki started acting out the stories. If Kabuki acts; Bunraku tells!

Names Gidayu: Shamisen: Jidaimonno: Sewamono: Keigoto: Dan: Jo: Ha: Kyu: The Narrator (speaks for all the characters) Musician (usually string instruments) History Plays Contemporary/Domestic Plays Dances Acts Beginning Dramatic Development Ending