Introducing Bunraku | The Art of Japanese Puppet Theater

Presented by the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

Discover bunraku (文楽; the traditional Japanese puppet theater) at our special lecture and demonstration featuring the National Bunraku Theatre and Dr. Jyana Browne.
Dr. Browne will begin this event with an introduction to bunraku, followed by a short demonstration by our guest artists. Attendees will learn about gidayū (義太夫; a style of chanted narration for bunraku) and have the rare opportunity to engage in an exploration of Bunraku puppetry. The event will conclude with a Q&A session with Dr. Browne and our guest artists.
Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistry and tradition of bunraku up close!

The is returning to the U.S. for the first time in two decades. See two quintessential masterpiece scenes from their repertoire at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, October 8th, and Wednesday, October 9th, 2024.
The National Theatre's U.S. tour is produced and organized by Japan Society, New York, under partnership with Japan Arts Council, which is supported, in part, by Japan Cultural Expo 2.0, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Kikkoman Corporation, and Suntory Holdings Limited. The program is also supported by the John and Miyoko Davey Foundation and Takenaka Corporation.

TOYOTAKE Yoshihodayu 豊竹芳穂太夫
TOYOTAKE Yoshihodayu is a narrator (太夫; tayū). He apprenticed under TOYOTAKE Shimatayu in February 2003 (Heisei 15) and became a trainee of the Bunraku Kyōkai (Association). In May 2003, he adopted the name TOYOTAKE Yoshihodayu and in September of the same year, he made his debut at the National Theatre. In April 2021 (Reiwa 3), he became a disciple of the sixth-generation TOYOTAKE Rodayu. His accolades include winning the 38th Bunraku Kyōkai Award in April 2010 (Heisei 22), the 30th National Theatre Bunraku Prize Encouragement Award in April 2011 (Heisei 23), and the 40th Bunraku Kyōkai Award in April 2012 (Heisei 24). Additionally, he received the Jusan'ya-Kai Prize in June 2013 (Heisei 25), April 2014, and June 2014 (Heisei 26). In March 2015 (Heisei 27), he was awarded the 43rd Bunraku Kyōkai Award, and in March 2018 (Heisei 30), he received the Osaka Cultural Festival Prize Encouragement Award. In April 2018, he was awarded the 37th National Theatre Bunraku Prize Encouragement Award, and in July of the same year, he received the Jusan’ya-Kai June Monthly Prize (Encouragement Award).

TSURUZAWA Kantaro 鶴澤 寛太郎
TSURUZAWA Kantaro is a shamisen (三味線) player. In 1999 (Heisei 11), he apprenticed under his grandfather, the seventh TSURUZAWA Kanji. He debuted at the National Bunraku Theatre in January 2001 (Heisei 13) under the name TSURUZAWA Kantaro. In 2019 (Reiwa 1), he began studying under TAKEZAWA Sosuke.
His accolades include the 37th Bunraku Kyōkai Award in April 2009 (Heisei 21) and the 39th Bunraku Kyōkai Award in April 2011 (Heisei 23). In February 2012 (Heisei 24), he received the Jusan’ya-Kai Prize, and in April of the same year, he was awarded the National Theatre Bunraku Prize Encouragement Award.
In September 2013 (Heisei 25), he received the Grand Prize at the Osaka Cultural Festival, and in April 2014 (Heisei 26), he was awarded the 42nd Bunraku Kyōkai Award. In March 2015 (Heisei 27), he received the 43rd Bunraku Kyōkai Award, and in April 2017 (Heisei 29), he received the National Theatre Bunraku Prize Encouragement Award.
In February 2019 (Heisei 31), he was awarded the Heisei 30th Sakuya-Kono-Hana Prize, and in April of the same year, he was awarded the 38th National Theatre Bunraku Prize Encouragement Award.

YOSHIDA Minotaro 吉田簑太郎
YOSHIDA Minotaro is a puppeteer (人形遣い; ningyō tsukai). He apprenticed under the third-generation YOSHIDA Minosuke in January 2000 (Heisei 12) and became a trainee of the Bunraku Kyōkai. In April 2000, he adopted the name YOSHIDA Minotsugu and debuted at the National Bunraku Theatre. In July 2016 (Heisei 28), he assumed the title of the second-generation YOSHIDA Minotaro at the National Bunraku Theatre.
His accolades include the 40th Bunraku Kyōkai Award in April 2012 (Heisei 24) and the 45th Bunraku Kyōkai) Award in April 2017 (Heisei 29). In March 2020 (Reiwa 2), he received the Osaka Cultural Festival Prize (First Division) for the first year of Reiwa (2019).

Assistants:
Kiritake Monyoshi 桐竹紋吉
Kiritake Kansuke 桐竹勘介
Yoshida Tamanobu 吉田玉延

Jyana Browne
Jyana S. Browne (she/her) is Assistant Professor of Premodern Japanese Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Maryland. Her areas of research include early modern Japanese performance; Japanese puppetry; the integration of new technology into traditional theatre; and the intersections of performance, sexuality, and embodiment on stage and in everyday life. While living in Japan for her dissertation research, she studied gidayū chanting with TAKEMOTO Koshikyō and performed as part of the 100th Greater Japan Amateur Chanting Association Performance at Torigoe Shrine in Tokyo.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for security purposes. Program begins at 6:30PM. Doors open 30 minutes prior. No admittance after 7:00 PM or once seating is full. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, 1150 18th Street Northwest, Washington, United States