佐賀の英語教室Happy Balloons

Program poster at the Theater An earthquake with an intensity of six lower hit Osaka this morning around 8 am. I hope the damages won't be great. Let's be kind to each other to stay positive. Do you know Bunraku ? Bunraku is a Japanese traditional puppet play designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2003. Last week, I went to the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka to see an event for adult Bunraku beginners. In the first part, a rakugo story teller, Katsura Kaishi, led guests to explore basics: narrative, shamisen music, puppets and puppeteers. The latter part was a play  絵本太功記 尼崎の段 夕顔棚の段  (Ehon-taikoki  Amagasaki-no-dan & Yugaodana-no-dan). This play was first performed in 1799. It was a story about a samurai who killed his lord. He was strongly blamed by his mother who hoped to lighten his son's sin. The samurai had a son who was severely injured in the battle where he tried to help his father. The samurai finally accepted t...