Bunraku Theater [001]

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Title Bunraku Theater [001]
Photo Number Box 27, Japan, Theater, Bunraku, 1
Description Photo shows bunraku puppet theater in Japan
Creator Tierney, Lennox
Date 1961
Subject Performing arts--Japan--Photographs; Performances--Japan--Photographs; Theaters--Japan--Photographs; Theater--Japan--Photographs; Puppet theater--Japan--Photographs; Puppet plays--Japan--Photographs; Puppets--Japan--Photographs; Men--Japan--Photographs; Puppeteers--Japan--Photographs; Bunraku--Japan--Photographs; Bunraku puppets--Japan--Photographs; Japan; Theater
Keywords Ningyō jōruri; Sannin-zukai; Sanninzukai; Omo-zukai; Omozukai; Hidari-zukai; Hidarizukai; Ashi-zukai; Ashizukai
Collection Name and Number P0479 Lennox and Catherine Tierney Photo Collection
Holding Institution Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
Publisher Digitized by J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah
Spatial Coverage Japan
Caption on Slide The art of puppetry in Japan dates back more than a thousand years and can be traced back in different directions (puppeteers, chanters or samisen players). Therefore, tracing the development and history of Bunraku (ningyo joruri) is complicated. An early precursor can be found in the blind itinerant performers (biwa hoshi) who chanted The Tale of Heike (an epic depicting the Taira-Minamoto war) while accompanied by music (biwa, a type of lute). Later, two men can be credited with bringing about the golden age of ningyo joruri: (chanter) Takemoto Gidayu (1651 - 1714) and (dramatist) Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653 - 1725). The familiar term "Bunraku" comes from Bunraku-za, a successful 19th century theater established in Osaka, Japan.
Additional Information Image was scanned from color slide. Note: "Three kinds of performers take part in a bunraku performance: Ningyōtsukai or Ningyōzukai-puppeteers; Tayū-the chanters; Shamisen players..."--Wikipedia. Note: Additional information can be found on the web at: http://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/32Bunraku.pdf Note: From original caption information provided: "... Puppets were originally operated by just one person. In 1734, the three-man puppet was introduced." Note: [Illustration caption]: "Bunraku's three-man puppet handling system (sannin zukai). The puppeteer on the left (hidarizukai) handles the left arm, the crouching figure (ashizukai) handles the feet, while the chief operate (omozukai), standing on high clogs, handles the head and right arm."--Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre by Samuel L. Leiter. Note: Appears to be similar to images with File Names: sl_japanesenohdrama100, sl_japanesenohdrama101, and sl_japanesenohdrama102.
Type Image
Rights Management This material may be protected by copyright. Permission required for use in any form. For further information please contact the Multimedia Archivist, Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah.
Rights
ARK ark:/87278/s6zg78bg
Digitization Specifications Original scanned on Nikon Coolscan 5000 and saved as 2700 ppi TIFF. Display image generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000.
Donor Tierney, Lennox; Tierney, Catherine
Setname uum_lctpc
ID 333019
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6zg78bg
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