Assignment #3: Divide and Conquer: Building an Annotated Bibliography

Based on the group discussion, this is the contextual information that we feel is important for our audience (Will) to understand so we can have a fruitful discussion about Bunraku. First, we will give a brief overview of the origins of Bunraku — when puppetry, narrative storytelling and samisen music joined together to become one art form. We will also provide information on the terms used in Bunraku as well as the different elements involved, such as how the puppets are manned.

The political circumstances of the time were markedly different from previous eras. The consolidation of power in the Tokugawa family led to a time of peace and economic prosperity. Japan transitioned from a warring state to one of entertainment. Samurai with no wars to fight sought other ways to occupy their time. The mercenary class rose in wealth and disposable income. And wealthy patrons used their influence over the artists as an opportunity to spread their own ideologies and maintain the peace (Guth).

These changes in the social structure of Japan led to a burgeoning arts scene. Noh theater, kabuki, woodblock carving and painting all benefitted in addition to Bunraku. The typically lower class audiences of Bunraku aided the development of the form. Because they responded well to fantastical elements and theater tricks Bunraku theaters strove to outdo each other and show the audience something new. This was how the puppets gained arms, articulated fingers and the 3-man puppeteer system. Since this was what the audience clamored for, even Chikamatsu, with his emphasis on the text, had to build in a bit of spectacle from time to time (Keene, 34).

We will also need to provide information about Chikamatsu himself. The Great Edo Fire of 1657 forced many great Bunraku chanters to flee to Osaka, setting it up as the new center for puppet theater. Chikamatsu would soon follow after the huge financial success of one of his Bunraku plays. That and the fact that kabuki actors were altering his words led to Chikamatsu focusing solely on Bunraku plays. What other aspects of his personal life and philosophy may have contributed to the development of the art form? (Keene, 35)

One of the chief ideologies of the time was isolationism; Japan had closed its borders to most to keep out Christianity. This allowed the Japanese to flourish culturally "deriving wholly from their own experience, thought, and emotions," (Tokugawa, 70). Buddhism, now without Western competition, is also a key philosophy to understand as it relates to Bunraku.

Because we only have 20 minutes to present, we will likely not go into as much detail on the origins of Bunraku as large portions of it are highly speculative. And, while interesting, we will also probably condense the discussion of all the roles in Bunraku and the details of the puppet making process.