 Bunraku
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The first historical evidence of Bunraku, (known in the West as "puppetry")
dates from the 11th century in Japan, when the art was practiced by hunters
and their women, who traveled from town to town giving performances with
small puppets. The art eventually localized near Kobe, on the island of
Awaji, which is still known as the birthplace of professional puppetry.
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Joruri was a development of the art of chanting, which started with
the ancient bards who traveled from place to place, telling historic legends
of warriors, and love stories. The name came from one of the first stories,
Joruri Hime Monogatari (Tale of the Lady Joruri). She had been courted
and won by the famous warrior, Yoshitsune. About the same time, the biwa
(lute), which had been used to accompany the puppet plays, was replaced
by the shamisen, which had been imported into Japan from Okinawa. The
sound of the shamisen seemed more appropriate to the Bunraku drama than
the lute.
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The name, Bunraku, came from the most successful puppeteer of them all,
Bunraku Ken, who came from the island of Awaji. During the early stages
of Bunraku, the shamisen players and the chanter were hidden, as were
the puppeteers. The first to appear were the puppeteers, who operate the
puppets with only their hands - no strings attached. Later the chanter
and shamisen player were moved from their hidden positions, to a place
at the right of the audience. All these changes took place early in the
18th century.
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Learning the art of Bunraku takes so long for the puppeteer, chanter
and shamisen player that people with the complete dedication necessary
to become masters of the art can hardly be found. This art may be dying
out in Japan. Nevertheless, Bunraku has been seen all over the world and
appreciated for its beauty and excellence. Perhaps people will be found
to continue one of the greatest arts that Japan has produced. Some foreign
people have shown an interest in learning it. Don't you feel that Japanese
arts should be continued by Japanese? I do!
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