2025.01 Experience Traditional Japanese Culture in Osaka: Ningyo Johruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre [PR]
Historically, Osaka, along with Kyoto, has been a cultural cornerstone of Japan, with the two often being collectively referred to as the Kamigata region. Among Osaka’s many cultural gems is Ningyo Johruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre, a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
Watching Bunraku in Osaka is comparable to watching an opera in a grand European theatre or a musical in New York or London. Deeply cherished by the people of Osaka, Bunraku offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the living culture of the region.
Enjoy Bunraku while exploring sights like Osaka Castle. (Right Photo: From the Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024 Performance)
Ningyo Johruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre: Born in Osaka
Ningyo Johruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre is a traditional performing art that originated in Osaka and is one of Japan’s most representative cultural treasures. It is said to have originated in the early Edo period (17th century) and has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. The term “Bunraku” comes from the name of a troupe called “Bunraku-za”, which played a significant role in its development.
Every moment on the Bunraku stage is infused with spirit, and even the same performance is never the same twice. To explore its unique charm, let’s delve into the popular act “Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi (The Journey of Hatsune)” from the play “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees).”
A snapshot of the act “Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi” from the stage production “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura.” The puppeteer of the fox spirit Tadanobu puppet is Yoshida Tamao, a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage (Living National Treasure). (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
Get to know the world of Bunraku through popular performances
The beloved “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura” was first performed by the Osaka Takemoto-za Theatre in 1747. This collection of stories centers on Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a key hero in a major battle at the end of the Heian period (12th century). Despite his contribution towards his side’s victory, he was tragically exiled after incurring his brother’s wrath.
Let’s explore the world of Bunraku through the act “Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi” from this performance. When the curtain rises, the shamisen—a traditional Japanese instrument—produces a unique sound with a large pick called a “bachi”, like the prelude to an opera. This distinct tone captures the essence of Japan. Next, the narrators, or “tayu”, begin their storytelling.
Remarkably, there is no conductor to lead the performers, yet they move in perfect sync, drawing the audience into the narrative. Even if you don't understand the language, there is no need to worry—English subtitles are displayed above the stage and in one corner, and commentary is available through earphones.
The tayu (left) and shamisen players (right). (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
Now, the puppets finally take the stage. The technique of having three puppeteers manipulate a single puppet is said to be unique to Japan.
This act depicts the journey of Yoshitsune’s lover, Shizuka Gozen, as she follows him after he had been forced to leave the capital. Another character that makes an appearance is Sato Tadanobu, a white fox transformed into a samurai. His lifelike movements—his eyes moving up and down, arms, legs, and even fingertips moving with precision, and the way he walks, treading the ground—make it easy to forget he is a puppet.
Amazingly, even the puppets’ facial expressions change, so it may be a good idea to bring opera glasses to fully appreciate the performance.
Shizuka Gozen playing a drum, with her hands also moving. Puppeteer: Yoshida Ichisuke (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
The movements of the white fox are fascinatingly lifelike. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
The white fox transformed into the samurai Sato Tadanobu. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
One of the most breathtaking moments in the story is the dramatic transformation of the white fox into a samurai. Toward the end, the dance between Shizuka Gozen and Sato Tadanobu is another highlight not to be missed. This rousing and beautiful dance features Tadanobu’s impressive skill as he deftly catches the fan thrown by Shizuka Gozen.
Dancing to the music. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
A snapshot of the fan mid-throw. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
Skillfully catching the fan. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
The tayu narrators tell the story through narration and dialogue, using distinct voices for the different characters. For instance, Shizuka Gozen’s voice is rendered as feminine, while Sato Tadanobu’s is distinctly masculine, making it feel as though the puppets themselves are speaking. Bunraku is a three-part integrated art form, where the tayu narrators, shamisen, and puppets each play a leading role.
The tayu narrators perform with deeply expressive voices. From the right: Toyotake Toudayu, Takemoto Oritayu, and Takemoto Oriedayu. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
The shamisen produces sounds that evoke the essence of Japan. From the left: Tsuruzawa Enza, Tsuruzawa Seijo, and Tsuruzawa Tomonosuke. (Photo: Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024)
Nakanoshima Bunraku: Accessible even for first-timers
For those seeing Bunraku for the first time, the Osaka City Central Public Hall hosts the Nakanoshima Bunraku event once a year. The event includes several innovations designed to make the experience enjoyable, even for newcomers to the art form.
Each performance lasts about 30 minutes, allowing viewers to enjoy the main highlights. Additionally, projection mapping is used to display background images by contemporary artists, helping clarify the scenes of the story. English subtitles are also provided on stage.
Projection mapping and English subtitles. The puppets are also projected, allowing the audience to see their expressions and movements in detail. A scene from the act “Hinomi Yagura no Dan (The Fire Watchtower)” from the play “Date Musume Koi no Higanoko (The Valiant Maiden and the Fire-red Fabric of Love).” (Musume Oshichi/Kiritake Monhide).
Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024
Let’s explore Nakanoshima Bunraku through the 2024 performances. The venue is the Osaka City Central Public Hall, located on Nakanoshima island, which lies between the Dojima and Tosabori Rivers in the heart of Osaka City. This beautiful neo-Renaissance-style building, completed in 1918, has a history of over a hundred years.
Osaka City Central Public Hall
The venue exudes a stately atmosphere. Before the performance began, modern art paintings of characters from the four seasons were projected onto the screen. (The images for Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024 were by contemporary artist Tanihara Natsuko.)
At Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024, four performances were held, one for each of the four seasons. The spring performance, “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura,” featured the aforementioned spectacular act “Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi.” The autumn performance, with the act “Sekidera Komachi (Komachi at Sekidera Temple)” from the play “Hanakurabe Shiki no Kotobuki (The Celebration of the Four Seasons),” told the poignant story of an elderly woman who was once a great beauty. In the winter performance, “Hinomi Yagura no Dan (The Fire Watchtower)” from “Date Musume Koi no Higanoko (The Valiant Maiden and the Fire-red Fabric of Love)” portrayed the emotions of a woman who longed to save her beloved.
The sorrows of the elderly woman Ono no Komachi, once a great beauty. (Moments from the act “Sekidera Komachi” from “Hanakurabe Shiki no Kotobuki”; Ono no Komachi/Yoshida Tamaka.)
A mechanism that allows the fire watchtower to be climbed in the winter performance “Hinomi Yagura no Dan.” Snowflakes dance around through projection mapping.
The main character, Oshichi, breaks the rules to ring the fire alarm atop of the fire watchtower for her lover.
Oshichi, who did everything for her lover.
The Kamigata performing art of Rokyoku, and a photo session too!
For the summer performance, the last of the four seasons, the theatres switch from Bunraku to Rokyoku. Rokyoku is a traditional storytelling art, where a story is sung to a melody. In this performance, the storyteller sings the story in sync with the shamisen, using a distinct rhythm and expression. The Rokyoku performance is also subtitled.
After the performance, the audience can take commemorative photos at a special photo session. What’s more, Bunraku-themed goods are available for purchase in the lobby, making for a perfect memento of your visit.
Nakanoshima Bunraku is scheduled to be held in 2025 as well, offering a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture in an accessible and enriching way.
The Rokyoku summer performance, “Natsu-matsuri Naniwa Kagami (The Summer Festival, A Mirror of Osaka).” The story is sung in sync with the shamisen, with projection mapping enhancing the backdrop.
Complete with gestures, hand movements, and expressive facial expressions.
Performers gathered for a photo session after the performance. This is a special feature of Nakanoshima Bunraku, where the audience can freely take photos.
Actual puppets on display in the lobby before the performance. On the left is Oshichi from the winter performance, and on the right is Ono no Komachi for the autumn performance.
Bunraku-related goods and snacks sold during Bunraku performances at the National Bunraku Theatre are also available for purchase at “Nakanoshima Bunraku”.
National Bunraku Theatre
The National Bunraku Theatre, the home of Bunraku, hosts a variety of seasonal performances. However, there are certain months without any scheduled performances, so it is advisable to verify the schedule in advance. English audio guides* and subtitles are also available for visitors.
*You can listen to the commentary through earphones.
National Bunraku Theatre
Bunraku expresses human emotions that have not changed over time
Most Bunraku works were first created and performed during the Edo period (1603-1867), with their themes based on the same period or even earlier. Witness the intricate movements of the puppets, accompanied by the tayu narrators and shamisen, and experience the universal human emotions expressed through these timeless stories, all while immersing yourself in Japanese history.
Theatre etiquette
There is no formal dress code for attending Bunraku performances. Please enjoy the performance in a way that does not disturb others. Note that photography, recording, or filming is strictly prohibited during performances inside the theatre.
How to get there
There are direct flights to Osaka from all over the world through Kansai International Airport. From the airport, it takes approximately one hour to reach Osaka City by train, either on the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service or Nankai Electric Railway. From Tokyo, it takes about 2.5 hours via the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train or roughly 1 hour by flight from Haneda Airport to Itami Airport.
Related Links
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage | Invitation to Bunraku: Guidance for Japanese Puppet Theatre Appreciation |
| WEB : https://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/en/ |
What is Bunraku? (BUNRAKU-KYOKAI) |
| WEB : https://www.bunraku.or.jp/pdf/about/en.pdf |
Nakanoshima Bunraku |
| WEB : https://www.osakabunraku.jp/service04eng.html |
Osaka City Central Public Hall |
| WEB : https://osaka-chuokokaido.jp/english/ |
National Bunraku Theatre |
| WEB : https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/en/ |
How to get to the National Bunraku Theatre |
| WEB : https://www.bunraku.or.jp/access/index.html |
