Is puppet theater that was developed as an art by 1600, and shares many of its plays with Kabuki theater.
Puppets are manipulated on stage by 3 puppeteers.
-Head puppeteer (ono - zukai) who works the head and right arm.
He is dressed in a black kimono, or white during the months of June, July and August. Hid face is exposed and in full view. He also wears stage clogs about 12 inches high to be able to work above his assistants.
-2nd puppeteer ( Hidari - zukai) works the left arm, and will manipulate some props. Both he and the leg man are dressed in all black with hoods covering their faces.
-Leg operator (ashi - zukai) works the legs of the puppet, including creating the sounds of the steps using his own, following very spefic rules for movent.
The Set is built up to create a stage on a stage to create the illusion the that dolls are standing on a stage, while allowing the puppeteers to room to work.
All movents and actions are based on an intricate set of rules down to the wiping of tears.
Training typically starts between 10 an 14 years of age. With a minimum of 10 years at each of the lower levels before advancing, though have some spent 40 year careers as leg operators.
A single narrator both narrates the story as well as performs ALL the character voices. .
He is dressed in a while elaborate kimono, and present on a small stage to the right of the main stage. .
With him will be a single musician, though backstage there may be many other musicians.
Again the training as a narrator will begin about age 14 and can be passed down through a family.
Puppets are approximately ½ to 2/3 Human size, ranging in height form 2 ½ feet to 5 feet tall.
There are 2 character types of doll faces for women.
6 types for men.
Wigs are made of human hair and have 50 style variations.
There are 4 styles of creating eyebrows, and married woman will be created with none.
The Heads are carved from a light wood called paulownia.