Japanese Bunraku puppets

[denkouchoujin]

This is what ninjas do when they're not on missions.

[CrissySnow]

i hope japanese culture doesnt die out... what a great nation really

[HeilEvilCupCake]

i was listening to "i got no strings" while watching this. it goes along quite nicely.

[oliviaairedale]

Check it

[oliviaairedale]

Whoa, I did a puppet thing too. Called Mostrich dancing to Dynamite

[MegaGamerD]

its cool and all but... its kinda creeps me out

[shane7734]

I'm scared that's creapy

[chocachoya]

thx this really helps me in class

[spaz9i2]

Can someone pls help to clarify: Why is the main puppeteer not face-cloaked? While his assistant who comes on only later to help with the sleeves dons a black face-veil..

[NerdyGeekyGirl]

@spaz9i2 - This is because the one who isn't cloaked is the "Master" puppeteer .. It takes a lot of training to handle these puppets - a whole lifetime, and only Masters in the art of Bunraku are able to be un-cloaked.... apprentices MUST be cloaked at all times. Masters handle the head, torso, and Right arm, while two apprentices handle the left arm and the feet.(the least experienced handling the feet)

I hope this answers your question. =)

[asmodeux18]

Bunraku theatrical presentations are an unique and elegant visual experience. The costumes and movement of the various puppets are so life-like and extraordinary. I am always amazed by the manipulations of the figures and the music really adds the appropriate drama. Stunning.

[deliciousdazmo]

This is truely amazing thank you to all the artists xxx

[signorellil]

I've seen a bunraku show here in Turin a couple of months ago, held by a female puppetter - it was short but absolutely awesome, far beyond my expectations. At some point it became almost freaky, as the puppet (a female figure with an imposing kimono) looked alive! Much better than any western puppetry show I've ever seen, if you've the chance to attend one, don't miss it.

[WildBlossom225]

the most experienced puppeteer is the only one who the audience is allowed to see their face.

[Supertomiman]

I like this, but still, it's not more sophisticated than western marionettes, it's just different. In this type, you can get more moves and etc from the puppet, but you see the people who are controlling them, in the western ones, you don't see the people, but you get a little less animation... both are great though

[CRAKIZGOOD]

ud expect a samurai fight

[UNORIGINALdot3x]

that's pretty uncanny

[signorellil]

Just back from seeing a otome bunraku version of "Sagi Musume" (otome bunraku has the puppet operated by a woman). It was freakin amazin - the puppet seemed almost alive! Tomorrow it will be replied and I'm definitely going back!

[Woodenpuppet007]

Brilliant Puppetry. :3

So beautiful..

I absolutely love Bunraku.

[Shanniquitie]

hardly more sophisticated than european marionettes, but definitely it's own beauty

[Hentaifreak1]

This kind of puppet play is very interesting, but I have a kind of phobia about puppets...so I coun't watch somthing like this live.

[fame122095]

timon was this in the lion king musical and he was only operated bye ONE person

[SuperPrettyCOLORS]

@fame122095 yeah I say it but it defiantly was not as detailed, all he could go is move his legs (which were guided by the puppeteers legs), his arms (diddo) and his mouth

[kalapariplayer]

creepy....but still beautiful

[rumpwrestler]

Wonderful puppetry.....

[tg01millmorer]

the main dude should have had a balaclava on in my opinion. Very nice movements though

[volcom84bait]

i saw this in myb theater class--- nice---lots of coordinationn to just to do this...

[shibumiac]

Looks like the same one I saw in Kyoto..bring back good memories**

[alestane]

@shibumiac

At the Gion corner, eh? Nice place.

This is indeed the same - the story of Oshichi

[EsperPictures]

wow...this is beatuiful

[katsumijp21]

wow , i saw this exact piece tonight . mi uni invited a bunraku troupe and they played this exact piece. it was a wonderful experience. after it they explained the role each individual plays and even invited us on stage to try it out. it's much harder than it looks. lots of respect for these people.

[emilvalev]

I saw today in Sofia your workshop - I am glad you came here - thank you

[blehhh13]

that was freakin awesome!

[PrintFriends]

Howdy Partner, 'I'm Lovin' your work'. I've subscribed and added ya'll as a best friend.

Come on over and subscribe to PRINT FRIENDS where you can download and print out all my paper puppet friends for FREE !?! - Cloppins

[opticannon]

the cultured

[ShabbaLawLaw]

you?

[sasukefreak12]

omg!!! i saw this last yar with my japanese class at a theatre down town....this was so good..

[Morrwen]

I saw this play in Kyoto! It's really cool!

[Jinseichouro]

綺麗な人形

[loltehinternet]

Oh yeah I heard about this stuff. Didn't some us admiral watching the play, like, fall in love with the puppet and like send it flowers and stuff?

[duriandecay]

@loltehinternet what story is that?

[DjSmoog324]

LOL 1:41 I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS CLIMBING A LADDER. THOUGHT SHE WAS DANCING.

I'm writing an essay about Bunraku.

[gorefaceslam]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!

[jimmytinez]

This is not the Dojoji story. It is from "Date Musume Koi no Hikanoko" AKA "Yaoya Oshichi." The young woman is tries to cross the city of Edo (old Tokyo) to deliver a lost sword--which her servants have recovered--to her lover who is scheduled to die the next morning for having failed in his mission to recover the sword. Because the gates of the city are closed at midnight, Oshichi rings a false fire alarm--a capital crime--in order to get the gates opened so she can reach the young man in time.

[MadameBeekeeper]

i think this is an interpretation of the famous kabuki play Dojoji. look up the story of Dojoji. It's pretty interesting.

[thedollhead]

beautiful!

[peternoer]

wondrful!

[Sawrattan]

I love the vocals in old Japanese song, where they really squeal their voices. Something haunting about it.

[boigen]

Beautiful!!! I also wish I knew what's going on.. and... btw, why are some guys wearing black masks and one isnt'? It adds a lot of mysterium to everything :)

[MadameBeekeeper]

boigen, i think the reason why he isn't masked is because he's the master puppeteer. he's allowed to show his face as a way of getting credit for his seniority and skill.

[fishgul69]

dang wish I knew what was going on, looks cool

[krazitbone]

is there a reason why one person doesn't have the black mask on? is he the main puppeteer/omozukai?

[LacrimadiMandragola]

Yes, he is the most famous puppeteer, so he has the "right" do perform without the mask.

[MizHydee251]

Wow...There's a movie called Bunraku that's coming out next year & Gackt's in it.

[DaakuHisaki]

Great video! However, you said "The term bunraku comes from Bunraku-za, the name of the only commercial bunraku theater to survive into the modern era." This is not true. It comes from a puppeteer from Awaji, named Uemura Bunrakuken I, who founded a joruri school. His successor, Uemura Bunrakuken II founded the Bunraku-za. So technically, it comes from Uemura Bunrakuken I. Enjoyed the video! Thank you!

[Plepple]

I agree!

[jeannevdb]

Great!!!