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ANTIQUE Japanese Bunraku Puppet Head, Kashira browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese: Pre 1900: item # 578708 Please refer to our stock # MOR1894 when inquiring.
The Kura 16-1 ShimoWakakusa-Cho Murasakino Kita-ku Kyoto 603-8234 tel.81-75-432-6980 Guest Book Sold, Thank you |
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| By facial characteristics, this head could be used for the character Odanshichi or Kintoki, both warriors of incredible strength and valor. Kintoki is often used to characterize the powerful image of the Niomon, guardian deities of Buddhism. The kashira is roughly 6-1/2 inches (16 cm) tall and, besides the loss of hair, is in good solid condition, with only dirtiness from handling adding a sense of age. Although difficult to date, it is most likely later Edo to Meiji period, 19th century. A heavy wooden stand will be included with the sale. Bunraku, or Japanese puppet theater, is probably the most highly developed form of puppetry in the world. @The term Bunraku is a byword used to describe what is properly called Ningyo Joruri, Puppetry accompanied by Chanted Narration. Its origins lie in the 10th or 11th centuries in the central region around the Japanese Seto Inland Sea. Bunraku as we know it today, accompanied by shamisen and drum music and Noh like chanting, developed in the Edo period. The puppets are large, with the main characters operated by three puppeteers. Most Bunraku plays are historical and deal with the Japanese theme of giri and ninjo - the conflict between social obligations and human emotions. The main puppeteer, visible to the audience, manipulates the head and right arm while two lower ranked puppeteers cloaked entirely in black, operate the left arm and the legs (Female characters usually don't have legs as they are clad in full-length kimono). | |||||||||
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