The Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam will present a performance of traditional Japanese bunraku puppetry theatre in HCM City in mid-July. Photo courtesy of the organiser HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnamwill present a performance of traditional Japanese bunraku puppetry theatre inHo Chi Minh City in mid-July to mark 45 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties.
The 20-minute performance will include anexcerpt from Date Musume Koi No Higanoko (The Red-Hot Love of the Greengrocer’sDaughter), a bunraku masterpiece based on a real story that occurred during theEdo period about 300 years ago.
The play is about the tragic love story ofOshichi, a daughter of a greengrocer, and her lover Kichisaburo, a page at theKisshoin Temple.
The excerpt features a scene in whichOshichi finds the lost sword of her lover who is about to commit seppuku.
However, she cannot visit him because thegates around the city are closed at night. She climbs a fire tower on a snowynight to sound a false fire alarm to open the gates, though she knows thatsounding the false alarm is a serious crime.
The performance will feature six leadingperformers of the Bunraku Company from Osaka. A demonstration and Q&Asection will be given after the performance.
Founded in Osaka in the beginning of the17th century, bunraku uses half life-size dolls to act out a chanted dramaticnarrative to the accompaniment of a small samisen (three-stringed Japaneselute).
The puppetry theatre is derived fromhistorical plays set in feudal times and contemporary dramas exploring theconflict between affairs of the heart and social obligations.
Around 160 works out of the 700 playswritten during the Edo period are used in today’s repertory.
In 2003, UNESCO declared bunraku aMasterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The performances in HCM City will start at3pm and 7pm on July 12 at the The Gioi Tre Theatre.
The program is not recommended for childrenunder 12 years old.
The Japan Foundation Centre will also organisetwo other shows at the Vietnam Youth Theatre in Hanoi on July 14.-VNS/VNA
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