Japan’s Bunraku Puppet

Culture Ministry’s Department of Cultural Promotion, the Japan Foundation host the Asian Puppet Theatre Exchange: Bunraku Demonstration and Workshop on August 26, 2014 at Thailand Culture Centre’s small hall.
VDO by Somsak Natthong

[@coralarch]

I hope one day to see bunraku live. A friend who did said that you forget about the puppet masters and the puppets do seem to be truly alive.

[@crackersnacc6006]

@@LittleHampie89 lol

[@wingerding]

It looks like it would be pretty difficult for me to get over the puppet master being so visible, a black mask or something to remove his human features would be nice.

[@fishy834]

@@LittleHampie89 I doubt that, I’m sure the puppeteers are moving the puppets, don’t discredit them

[@mrlarvux]

They’re literally standing right there how the fuck would that happen?

[@jasonalen7459]

@@mrlarvux You'll have to go see a show live and find out, I suppose 🤪

[@plague_doctor0237]

Everybody says that they're creepy but I say that they are beautiful, I love how alive they look, those puppeteers are are artists

[@TuberoseKisser]

Both things are true

[@fishy834]

Bro you said are twice 😂😂. Also I agree but I’ve never heard anyone say they are are creepy 🤓

[@rngesus66]

As usual my brain skipped the second are word​@@fishy834

[@TuyetHangLam-lf2cm]

Cái sự kinh dị đó gọi là thung lũng khi cái gì quá giống người nhưng không phải là người.

[@MalingAsliSukolilo]

Strangely scary. But beautiful

[@prizmarvalschi1319]

Felt the same way about ballet

[@yucatansuckaman5726]

Nah not really I can see the guy controlling it

[@snowyonice]

reason why it’s scary it’s because something called uncanny valley, it’s pretty interesting search it up

[@JamesBond-lr9ex]

uncanny valley bro

[@JamesBond-lr9ex]

@@snowyonice oh damn same thought

[@-chloe-8728]

when i noticed the articulated hands my jaw dropped. so much tiny little detail and it gives the performance so much character! must be awesome to see live.

[@artesiningart4961]

this will scare those with phobia for dolls. They look partly doll-like and partly real and kind of in the uncanny valley that makes them creepy-looking.

[@hoodedtrolling680]

Yes and i have that phobia

[@alxc335]

I'm impressed how well coordinated of the 3 people controlling the puppet

[@mc4661]

I saw this in Kyoto and could not understand how the puppet in the striped kimono appeared to climb a wall all by itself.

[@Change1change2]

They got behind it

[@murilocruz7752]

May I ask where in Kyoto you watched this?

[@rkr9861]

That's the sign of a good bunraku puppeteer. The masters don't wear the black hoods because they're supposedly so good at the craft that your brain just omits them when watching the play.

[@wingerding]

@@rkr9861 I think it would be really hard not to be distracted by the facial characteristics of the puppet master. I don't know why they wouldn't choose to wear a black mask to make it as easy as possible for the audience to engage. Sure it looks incredible as is but I think it would be even better. It's the eyes nose and mouth that are really distracting to me.

[@julienpento3636]

3:14 When your favorite song comes on

[@enricoDV1995]

came here after reading Mori's essay on Uncanny Valley. he placed Bunraku puppets on the other peak, considering them non uncanny and enjoyable. but honestly in my opinion they look disturbing af 😶

[@Viv8ldi]

Could be please please please insert Subtitles or explain what this is about. I love this theater but I dont understand everything.

[@THE-NC2]

lol@Willz __

[@atsukorichards1675]

This is a story called Yaoya Oshichi (八百屋お七). In Edo, a girl met a young man when she evacuated and went to a temple due to the fire at the city. She fall in love with him, and wanted to see him again, so, despite the punishment for the arson was death by fire, she put fire on her house deliberately. It is the scene that Ohichi climbs up the fire-warning bell tower to bang the bell frantically.

[@saint-of-demons]

@Willz __ pretty sure that was English. Maybe you are the one who needs to learn how to read English?

[@txshiroo._]

Atsuko Richards you mean Yaoya Oshici

[@JamesGarry]

@@atsukorichards1675 Thank you. The stylized head movement (tossing the head forward) - that seems to be significant but I do not understand it. Can you clarify?

[@cowboy0212]

Wow never seen this before! Japanese culture is mindblowing :O

[@feminius]

Me: mom can we have anime? Mom:we have anime at home Anime at home:

[@epaj8420]

회사원님 채널보고왔어요~ ㅋㅋ

[@separk97]

juse A 저두요ㅋㅋㅋ

[@anthonycooke942]

That was phenomenal! Thank you for sharing!

[@kimuhammadnaufalfawwaz2688]

There is a soul in the puppet head. Amazing puppet performer.

[@cantsay2006]

3:14 he's just pitching a fit

[@danjf1]

I was expecting marionette-type puppets but these bunraku are cool! I love the ninja-like stagehand outfits. Love to see those used in other parts of the world 🙂

[@samfields8397]

Is it weird if my dog does that??

[@SamusKerrigan]

your dog is a puppetteer? I guess it's cool

[@ariquinn7937]

Nope, it's normal for a dog but not for a human doing that.

[@arkbien9303]

When I was a little child, I saw an amazing version of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass where the Wonderland characters were giant Bunraku style puppets. I've been fascinated by this style of theater ever since.

[@shaneblankenship8193]

3:18 well im never sleeping agian

[@ariquinn7937]

Lmaooo

[@PumpkinCannon]

who else here from Blue Eye Samurai lol guilty as charged ! ! !

[@AlienStageFan_831]

Lol, same here!

[@Dani_1012]

This is freaking impressive

[@itshaleyrg1802]

Thanks to my drama teacher, I'm distured now..

[@txshiroo._]

Why do I find this scary and cool in the same time? Edit: Why am I watching this at night omg

[@TheHardStyleLife]

First time seeing this as Iv'e just searched it up after learning the name. Why do they not cover the persons face who puppets it ? curious because one of the fellas face is covered but the main guy's face is not ?

[@brandonlabbe3577]

I know it's just personal aesthetic taste but I think it looks way better on a dark stage like this. I think it'd look even better if all the puppeteers were in black, but again that's just another personal preference. Back on the lighting, though, it's strange to me how many examples online are on brightly lit stages, making the puppeteers in black starkly stand out as opposed to gracefully fade into the dark surroundings like in this video. This production was excellently lit and I wish more could be similarly lit.

[@shenglongisback4688]

I was thinking the same thing it like Jim Henson puppetry you don't see the puppeteer so you totally believe and see the character as real. In thus case having the puppeteer in black against the darken stage would totally get u locked in.

[@ej4j4i38wGwgeb8]

This freakin awesome!

[@senemuzuner9187]

Bunraku gives me goosebumps :S

[@larongrey1961]

LOL

[@txshiroo._]

Laron Grey how the hell is that funny

[@apetheory7152]

Japan should make their own Muppets Show

[@ibraadlawan2005]

Came here because of Tanizaki’s Some Prefer Nettles. The early chapter of the book is a scene on a bunraku play and I was partially unfamiliar to it (except for the shamisen ha ha ha). Seeing this clip now, I can find Kaname’s narration on the bunraku they were watching particularly vivid & entrancing.

[@Abhishek-fe3zs]

Same, this is pretty cool

[@ellusiv5121]

So this is what Sasori was based on.

[@James-ws7bq]

That’s literally what I just thought hahah

[@nomanopa]

Anyone here because of Angela Carter's The Loves of Lady Purple? 🖐🏻

[@1986verity]

The part when the puppet fart: 4:46

[@225kristent]

so beautiful but I wonder why all the puppeteers aren't in black

[@exploringlife738]

The head puppeteer is not hidden so that fans can see them and appreciate how they imbue the puppets.

[@hannahsmith7951]

Bunraku puppeteers train for years to become an omo-zukai (head puppeteer) and so they remain unhooded because they've earned that. It can take 20 years to achieve omo-zukai status and the other two puppeteers (the hidari-zukai who controls the left arm and the ashi-zukai who controls the feet) are still in their training to become an omo-zukai.

[@Patodufli]

@@hannahsmith7951 I'm completely unable to see the third puppeteer, they certainly have good disguises xd

[@blastromlifyedah]

I don’t understand how these creations could possibly be creepy.

[@armyofthewolves]

You know, the more Japanese folk entertainment I watch, the less odd Filthy Frank becomes. I love it.

[@SKathleen615]

The Bunraku puppets aren’t scary at all they are actually adorable 🥰

[@jordi7139]

Esto es de una belleza sublime. ¡Gracias!

[@pizarovic]

นี่เขามีมาก่อนละครหุ่นบ้านเราเป็นร้อยปีอีกนะ น่าจะเอาเรื่องนี้มาคุยในไทยเปรียบกัน

[@24lukyorgun]

Vay a.

[@lerondaugherty]

I think it’s amazing that they have been doing this for centuries surely Jim Henson took notes

[@Paula-133]

These are so much more than a puppet show. We just don't have the kind of deep feeling for puppets as art in the US. Maybe that will change I sure hope so. I adore this kind of artistry.

[@farahinsyirah4466]

Tamanobu san😍

[@rytpooper]

Скидедедей

[@sophieslittleadventure-5824]

I’m Actually Really Obsessed With Puppets

[@hystericalkeys8891]

The Japanese dolls do get a bit quirkie at night

[@officialFredDurstfanclub]

It’s quite beautiful really, in its own unique way.

[@amievil3697]

OMG this is the best shrooms experience EVER!

[@albertmendoza8330]

Is this creepy while smoking weed?

[@robreynolds721]

Granny Chiyo putting in work!

[@Emily-fy2ti]

They are creepy but beautiful at the same time

[@Gun_Molester]

he should be in Blackface

[@banebruja]

Very bizarre yet very skillful

[@michaelmartin8337]

That is coordination right there

[@christianvillacorta1436]

Kanjuro traitor

[@NUSORCA]

Why does it always scare me?

[@prizmarvalschi1319]

THEY HAVE LEGS

[@rhinollama2007]

same as below

[@lina5605]

Im scared

[@BorrowerSP]

0:06

[@3o9o1blaw8]

wow

[@leonardogrippi7152]

mans souding like a chicken at the start

[@Golden_Gimiks]

2:13 욱일기 아님?

[@m.r.5089]

I think it would have been better if the third puppeteer also covered his face. I was much distracted by his facial features

[@arnold666heartagram]

Kankuro bring me here 🤘 Kuro Higi Jaan