The National Bunraku Theater (国立文楽劇場) is a traditional Japanese puppet theater located in the city of Osaka. It is one of the premier venues in Japan where performances of Bunraku, a traditional form of puppetry designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, are still held.
Bunraku is a form of puppetry that originated in Osaka in the early 17th century. It involves large puppets, usually around 1 to 1.5 meters tall, that are operated by three puppeteers who control the head, right arm, and left arm of the puppet. The puppeteers, dressed in black, are visible on stage and use various intricate techniques to bring the puppets to life, conveying a wide range of emotions and expressions.
The National Bunraku Theater in Osaka is the leading venue for Bunraku performances in Japan. It features a spacious stage and can accommodate over 700 spectators. Additionally, the theater houses a museum dedicated to the history and art of Bunraku, where visitors can learn more about this unique performing art. Visitors can attend Bunraku performances at the theater, typically lasting around 2-3 hours per program and featuring a variety of acts and scenes.
While the performances are conducted in Japanese, English support is available through headsets providing a guide to the action on stage and recently, a real-time English subtitle display system has been implemented for select performances. The theater also offers guided tours and workshops where visitors can gain further insights into the history and techniques of Bunraku puppetry.
The theater hosts regular performances in January, April, June, July/August, and November. In June, special performances for beginners are held with explanations. Tickets can be reserved and purchased online, by phone, or directly at the box office.
Details
| Phone | +81 6-6212-2531 |
| Address | 1 Chome-12-10 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073 |