Kabuki and Bunraku Resources

For an in depth look at Kabuki Theater, check out this video -- which i believe is narrated in part by Jeremy Irons!

Also... here's a video of one of the most popular Kabuki plays in the history of Japanese theater: Yoshitsune and the One Thousand Cherry Blossom Trees.  

 

I was trying to think of ways in which Kabuki theater has influenced American pop-culture... and at first I couldn't think of anything.

And then I remembered these guys!

Now it's time to explore the fascinating and sometimes creepy world of Bunraku (Japanese Puppet Theatre)...

This clip of a performance may or may not be as disturbing (depending on your dread of puppets)...

Want to dig deeper in to the history of this art form? Begin Japanology has another great 30-minute documentary.

Now, the Bunraku style can be scene in several Western productions, including Paula Vogel's The Long Christmas Ride Home. (Read the New York Times review.)

And the retelling of the Tinman of Oz, The Woodsman...

And one could argue that Bunraku theater inspired the amazing British production of War Horse. (Although, to my knowledge Bunraku puppets are traditional human or humanoid.)