TOKYO,
Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bunraku is one of Japan's representative traditional performing
arts, refined over its 300-year history. This fall, its first
American performance produced by the National Theatre, operated by
the Japan Arts Council, will be held in Washington DC, New
York, Los Angeles,
Fairfield (CT), and Houston.
Images:
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https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105869/202408094860/_prw_PI3fl_ZOC5Ws6E.jpg
*Photo credit
"Sonezaki Shinju (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki)"
(from BUNRAKU 1st SESSION) Photograph: OGAWA Tomoko
Bunraku combines "tayu" narration and
expressive, live "shamisen" music with the lifelike movements of
puppets, with each puppet operated by three puppeteers. It's
not just a puppet show for kids but rather a sophisticated art form
aimed at adult audiences. The stories in Bunraku often blend real
historical events with fictional elements and delve into the
complexity of human emotions.
USA tour of Bunraku
The performance in the U.S. will include two climactic scenes
from classic Bunraku repertoire: "Date Musume Koi no
Higanoko" (Oshichi, the Greengrocer's Daughter) and
"Sonezaki Shinju" (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki), along with an
additional demonstration to introduce audiences to the techniques
of Bunraku. In addition, a separate workshop will be held to
provide a closer look at Bunraku puppetry and give participants an
opportunity to operate puppets themselves.
Of special interest for the U.S. tour production, the stage
backdrop for "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki" will be animated
footage based on original drawings by OGA Kazuo, who has worked on
background art for animated films such as "My Neighbor Totoro," "Princess Mononoke," "In
This Corner of the World," and other internationally-renowned
works. This unique fusion of Japanese anime, which has many fans
worldwide, and traditional performing arts is sure to delight
audiences.
The tour is organized by Japan Society in
New York City and supported by the
project "Japan Cultural Expo 2.0."
Tour schedule (tickets available at each respective venue
website):
September 28: Aratani Theatre
(Los Angeles)
https://jaccc.org/
October 1: Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT)
https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2024-25-season-calendar/theatre/national-bunraku-theatre.html
October 3-5: Japan Society
(New York)
https://japansociety.org/events/national-bunraku-theater/
October 8-9: Kennedy Center
(Washington DC)
https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2024-2025/japan-society/
October 12: Jeannette & L.M.
George Theater (Houston)
https://www.jas-hou.org/
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage-bunraku-on-world-stage-japans-national-theatre-to-present-spectacular-fusion-of-tradition-and-anime-in-united-states-302220494.html
SOURCE Japan Arts Council