Puppet Theatre Hitomi-ZA Otome Bunraku was founded by Foundation Modern Puppet Center in 1949. Now, the number of members is about 70, the yearly production covers app. 800 shows and 260.000 spectators. It is an official representative of otome bunraku theatre (after being devised by Kiritake Chieko in 1920) it tours a lot all around the world. Otome Bunraku is the logical response to formerly only ‘male’ bunraku where one puppet has been played by three men. In Otome Bunraku, every puppet is operated by one woman. Otherwise, the original technology of puppets and set has been preserved, as well as the use of instruments (Shamisen) and narration (Gidayu). Bunraku is Beauty. It is a demonstration of skill, discipline, accuracy, and connectivity. Bunraku is not some sort of “mathematics”; it is a holistic from of performing, consisting of elements that have been (because of their fullness) creating magic, perfection, and integrity by themselves for the past 300 years. Otome Bunraku is the logical response to previously only ‘male’ bunraku where one puppet has been played by three men. In Otome Bunraku, every puppet is operated by one woman. Otherwise, the original form of puppets and set has been preserved, as well as the use of instruments and narration.
Our program contains two short shows (40 + 30 min) combined into one program, accompanied by a presentational workshop for children and adults including a non-verbal dance performance with puppets.
The Miracle at Tsubosaka Temple
It is a love story of a husband (Sawaichi) and a wife (Osato). He used to be jealous at his beautiful wife, but after finding out he was wrong he wanted to repent. He went to the temple, but his bad consciousness forced him to commit suicide. His wife felt uneasy and followed him to the temple. After finding out he was dead, he killed herself as well. But the goddess Kanzeon brought them both back to life for being moved by their deep and devoted love.
Yoshitsume and The One Thousand Cherry Blossom Trees
It is a part of a much longer typical yoruri story about a tragic wise general Yoshitsune. The scene is named Yoshinoyama Michiyuki and it is placed above blossoming cherry trees. A fox (digusised as Tadanobu) is telling the truth about following Shizukagozen with her drum (Hatsune no Tuzumi), made of fox’s mother’s skin. And out of the immortal love of its mother, the fox decided to follow even the drum to be close to remains of the mother.