Introduction History Formation period Beginning of the art of narration Intersection of joruri and doll manipulation Flourishing of kojoruri Developmental period Emergence of Takemoto Gidayu Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s active contribution Pioneering of a new category Golden period Rivalry between Takemoto-za and Toyotake-za Beginnig of three puppeteers operation Longer plays and three masterpieces Finalization period Performances put on by Uemura Bunrakuken Shift in performances Opening of National Theatre & National Bunraku Theatre Stage Stage view from seating area Stage view from shimote Performers Narrator (Tayu) Gidayu-bushi and libretto (yukahon) The narrator's voice expresses the emotions of the characters Shamisen player The sound of the shamisen evokes the scene and the emotional fluctuations The mechanisms and the playing of the shamisen Puppeteer Operational innovations and training allow puppets to play their roles The costumes of puppeteers Poses and movements characteristic to puppets Bunraku Dolls How the Dolls Work Mechanisms of the head Moving a doll Assembling a doll Types of Heads Heads for Male Roles Heads for Female Roles Heads for Special Roles Plays Well-known Authors Famous Plays Jidai-mono (Historical Plays) Honcho Nijushiko Imoseyama Onna Teikin Meiboku Sendai Hagi Ehon Taikoki Sewa-mono (Contemporary, domestic plays) Sonezaki shinju Shinpan Utazaimon Keigoto / Keiji (Dances) Kotobuki Shiki Sanbaso To the Theatre Where do I watch? Theatres Buying tickets Selecting seats Membership associations What do I watch? Production style Watch a single play carefully Watch different plays Performances for beginners Regional productions How do I watch? Viewing manners During the performance Items for additional enjoyment Who is performing? Performers of Bunraku Gigeiin training program Mastering the art
