PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
ABOUT PERFORMANCE
Ningyo Joruri Bunraku × Kodan × Modern art projection mapping
Nakanoshima Bunraku 2025
“Sonezaki Shinju (the Love suicide at Sonezaki)” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon
A story of forbidden love, too sad even after 300 years and more bitter than reality.
〈Kodan storytelling〉
“Osaka Sanjusankasho Kannon Meguri (Visiting 33 temples dedicated to Kannon in Osaka)”
“Ikutama-shazen-no-dan (Passage in front of the Ikutama Shrine)”
〈Bunraku〉
“Tenmaya-no-dan (Passage of Tenmaya teahouse)” (adaptation & musical composition by NOZAWA Matsunosuke)
“Tenjin-mori-no-dan (Passage of Tenjin forest)” (dance composition by SAWAMURA Ryunosuke)
◎ Superimposed captions (modern Japanese and English translation) available. Bring your smartphone and earphones to enjoy an audio guide on the highlights of the Bunraku shows and explanations of the story (in Japanese and English).
◎ Photo session after the show
◎ Performers and programs are subject to change
【Main performers】
Tayu (Narrator): Toyotake Toudayu, Takemoto Oritayu
Shamisen: Tsuruzawa Enza, Tsuruzawa Tozo
Puppeteer: Yoshida Tamao, Yoshida Ichisuke
Hayashi (music): Mochizuki Tamezo Shachu
Kodan: Kyokudo Nankai
Art: Tanihara Natsuko
【Main performers】
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Tayu (Narrator): Toyotake Toudayu |
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Tayu (Narrator): Takemoto Oritayu |
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Shamisen: Tsuruzawa Enza |
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Shamisen: Tsuruzawa Tozo |
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Puppeteer: Yoshida Tamao |
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Puppeteer: Yoshida Ichisuke |
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Kodan: Kyokudo Nankai |
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Art: Tanihara Natsuko |
SYNOPSIS
“Osaka Sanjusankasho Kannon Meguri (Visiting 33 temples dedicated to Kannon in Osaka)”
In the middle of the Edo period, a pilgrimage to 33 temples dedicated to Kannon to make a wish was popular among love-struck girls in Osaka. Ohatsu, a prostitute at the Tenmaya teahouse, is one of them. Ohatsu in prayer, with the pain of love and doubts about the future in her heart, looks like she is purifying her own mind. Her earnest pilgrimage is overlapped with episodes of love and faith. This is the beginning of a story of fervent prayer.
“Ikutama-sha zen-no-dan” (Passage in front of the Ikutama shrine)
Ohatsu’s lover, a prostitute, is Tokubei, who works as a clerk at the Hirano-ya soy sauce store. Now Ohatsu is waiting for Tokubei at their meeting place. Although they are in love with each other, people around them are trying to marry Tokubei to another woman. Tokubei decides to refuse the proposal of marriage in front of Ohatsu. Just as he is thinking of solving his financial problem with the money he has lent his friend Kuheiji, he runs into Kuheiji. Pressed by Tokubei to pay back the debt, Kuheiji pretends himself knows nothing about it; instead, he humiliates Tokubei in front of many people, blaming Tokubei for threatening his friend with a forged letter. Tokubei is at a loss with no prospect of resolving the marriage proposal nor sharing the future with Ohatsu.
“Tenmaya-no-dan (Passage of Tenmaya teahouse)”
Ohatsu is saddened to learn that Tokubei has been cheated by his friend Kuheiji who has even spread a bad rumor about Tokubei. One night, Tokubei comes to see her out of the public eye, and Ohatsu hides him under the engawa porch. Without knowing that, Kuheiji comes over and speaks ill of Tokubei in an effort to seduce her. Under the porch is Tokubei in a rage. Ohatsu holds Tokubei down with her foot. “Now, there is only one path for two of us to take.” Ohatsu and Tokubei silently confirm each other's resolve. Late at night, they leave the teahouse hand in hand without anyone noticing.
“Tenjin-mori-no-dan (Passage of Tenjin forest)”
Tokubei and Ohatsu decide to die together and make a vow to marry in the afterworld. The two head for Tenjin forest in the dark of the night. At the forest, Ohatsu urges Tokubei to let her set out for the other world. Tokubei pulls out his blade, overwhelmed by the fear of death. With sutra chanting resonating in the distance, Tokubei’s thrust with all his might ends Ohatsu's life, and then his own. This is the climax of a painful, sad, beautiful, and haunting story of eternal love.
DATE
2025
Aug. 30 (Sat.)
Starts at 1:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.)/ Starts at 5:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.)
Aug.31 (Sun.)
Starts at 1:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
VENUE
The Main Hall, 1st Floor, Osaka City Central Public Hall
1-1-27, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0005
◎ Exit 1, Yodoyabashi Station, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line/Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Line
◎ Exit 26, Kitahama Station, Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line/Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Line
◎ Exit 1, Naniwabashi Station, Keihan Electric Railway Nakanoshima Line
Prices (all reserved seating)
Adults: 2,500 yen (advance)/3,000 yen (on the day)
High schoolers and under: 500 yen (advance)/700 yen (on the day) (student ID required on the day)
Ticket Release : July 26 (Sat.)
Preschoolers not allowed
［Ticket agencies］
RAKUTEN Ticket
ORGANAIZER
Organizer: Osaka City/Executive Committee for Promotion of Bunraku Theatre（Osaka City, BUNRAKU KYOKAI）
Planning and Operation：Traditional Arts Creation Business Entitiy（Traditional Arts of Japan, Arts Integrate）
Stage production : Kansai Butai Co., Ltd.
Cooperation: PIA Corporation
CONTACT
Arts Integrate
TEL 06‐6372‐6707 (weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) FAX 06‐6372‐3691
