November1On Saturday, the 1st, we invited Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder) Kanjuro Kiritake to our Amagasaki campus.2024A special lecture entitled "Bunraku" was held as part of the annual public lecture course "Japanese Culture Theory."
Our university's "Japanese Culture Studies" course approaches Japanese culture through literary works and traditional performing arts, examining the "universality" that inspires people across the ages. Following on from last year, we were able to host a special lecture by a leading figure in the traditional performing arts.
The special lecture began with an opening address from University President Atsushi Hamana, and proceeded with a review of the previous lecture. Mr. Kanjuro Kiritake gave a detailed explanation of how Bunraku was born in Osaka during the Edo period, its ties with Amagasaki city, and the history of Bunraku's development, fully conveying its charm and profundity.
He also demonstrated the unique puppeteering technique of three people controlling one puppet, a technique unique to Bunraku puppet theater, as well as tips and tricks for manipulating the puppet to match the Gidayu-bushi music played by the tayu and shamisen. He also introduced us to some behind-the-scenes techniques that we would not normally be able to see.
At the end of the event, Mr. Kiritake Kanjuro demonstrated his own puppetry techniques, conveying the unique worldview and expressiveness of Bunraku in an easy-to-understand manner even to students and visitors experiencing Bunraku for the first time. In a survey of visitors, many said they had learned for the first time the depth of Bunraku puppetry, and that each puppet has its own unique personality and many elements that draw the audience in. Many also said that they would never have come into contact with Bunraku without this opportunity. It appears that Mr. Kanjuro's lecture deepened the understanding of Bunraku for many visitors, and sparked a new interest in it.
As a university with deep international roots in the local community, our university plans to continue to actively hold courses on traditional performing arts and culture that are open to people of all ages, and promote cultural exchange in the region while introducing traditional Japanese culture. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those involved in the organization of this lecture for their generous cooperation. Thank you very much.
