On October 22, 204, Claudia Orenstein, Professor of Theatre at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY, presented this live webinar on bunraku, also known as ningyō jōruri, a multidimensional art that marries exquisitely carved puppet figures, operated by teams of performers, with dramatic narration to shamisen accompaniment. Drawing from early ritual practices and the work of medieval itinerant bards, in the Edo period, bunraku became a popular entertainment appealing to restless urban audiences with tales of love, war and personal sacrifice. Contributions of great dramatic writers like Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1724), and novelties in puppet construction, not only supported the form’s past success, but have continued to make it a unique art form admired throughout the world.
Professor Orenstein offers insights into various aspects of the tradition and the history and development of this art that is both an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan and listed as a UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage of Humanity.