Art Festivals & Events

'Discover BUNRAKU' is a performance with commentary provided beforehand by a Bunraku performer and an English-interpretation guide. The performance features representative works of Bunraku based on the universal themes of tragic love between a man and a woman and the affection shared between a parent and a child. You will be able to appreciate the real thrill of Bunraku both visually and audibly.
*Performed with English subtitles
*Simultaneous audio commentary provided in English and Japanese
*Commentary pamphlets provided in six languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Spanish, and French

Bunraku is a unique form of theater performance that can be seen nowhere else in the world, in which the narrator, instrument players, and performers work separately to create a single play. Each puppet used in the performance takes three performers for acting, making it possible to show realistic emotional expression. Since 2016, the National Theatre of Japan has been holding 'Discover BUNRAKU' performances to introduce Bunraku to foreigners. This program, which was not canceled even during the Coronavirus pandemic, is a valuable opportunity for people to see the appeal of Bunraku through to the use of multiple languages to support understanding.