Bunraku

Mitani Bunraku: Marionette Misanthropy (August 2026)

The star is the bunraku puppet itself. Koki Mitani's new bunraku Marionette Misanthropy at Kyoto Gekijo made me laugh at modern words chanted in gidayu style, and cry over the bond joining puppet and puppeteers.

2026.08.22

Bunraku

Bunraku Summer Festival: Machi no Hi (August 2026)

Chaplin's classic City Lights reborn as a brand-new bunraku play. I'd never seen the original film and loved every minute. Plus an unexpected encounter with Kanjuro Kiritake at the charity donation box.

2026.08.08

Bunraku

Summer Vacation Bunraku Performance: Part 2 (August 2026)

Part 2 of the Summer Vacation Bunraku Performance, seen from a special seat right in front of the musicians' platform. My first Gempei Nunobiki no Taki left me in awe of how dead a puppet can be, plus a bunraku bento and an adorable program.

2026.08.08

Bunraku

Bunraku Performance in May (May 2026)

A long-awaited return to Bunraku at Theater 1010 in Kitasenju. I watched both Part 1 and Part 2 of the May 2026 Bunraku Performance, spent the day with The Tale of Asagao, kept my binoculars fixed on Kanjuro, and came away feeling properly recharged.

2026.05.21

Bunraku

Autumn Bunraku Performance: Program C (September 2025)

The Love Suicides at Sonezaki, in bunraku. In the Tenmaya scene, Ohatsu's foot carried all her resolve, and for a moment, I forgot they were puppets. A quiet, heavy, wonderful night at the theatre.

2025.09.22

Bunraku

November Bunraku Performance: Kanadehon Chushingura, Parts 1 and 2 (November 2024)

From 11 in the morning to past 8 at night, I made it through Kanadehon Chushingura from the opening act to Act Seven, Jagariko in hand. A breath-holding seppuku scene, my favourite pine curtain, and a lost phone to finish: my full-day run at the National Bunraku Theatre's 40th anniversary.

2024.11.11

Bunraku

Bunraku Performance for Beginners: Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (June 2024)

I went for Terakoya, but the beginner-friendly commentary stole the show. My first Bunraku Performance for Beginners at the National Bunraku Theatre, in its 40th anniversary year — a solo theatre diary.

2024.06.09

Bunraku