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After treating us to a famous kabuki play in April, the National Theatre, Tokyo is now streaming a bunraku (Japanese puppet theatre) performance for free on its YouTube channel. The iconic play, ‘The Treasury of Loyal Retainers’ (‘Kanadehon Chushingura’), is one of the first fictionalised versions of Japan’s famous 47 ronin (masterless samurai) mythology.
The two-hour long bunraku puppet show, conducted by the National Bunraku Theatre, is available to watch until June 1. Part one is embedded below.
To commemorate the National Bunraku Theatre’s 35th anniversary in 2019, all 11 acts of ‘The Treasury of Loyal Retainers’ were performed and recorded, and you can see the entire show for free.
The piece was composed in 1748 in Osaka and deals with themes of loyalty and vengeance, as lord Enya Hangan’s 47 loyal samurai vow to avenge his death by assassinating the lord who set him up. Without a master, these feudal warriors are now known as ronin. They plan their revenge meticulously, knowing full well that it will likely result in their own deaths. This play is also one of the first works of Japanese literature to be translated into English.
The play, as well as the historical event it’s based on, has inspired countless film, TV and theatre adaptations.
The piece was composed in 1748 in Osaka and deals with themes of loyalty and vengeance, as lord Enya Hangan’s 47 loyal samurai vow to avenge his death by assassinating the lord who set him up. Without a master, these feudal warriors are now known as ronin. They plan their revenge meticulously, knowing full well that it will likely result in their own deaths. This play is also one of the first works of Japanese literature to be translated into English.
The play, as well as the historical event it’s based on, has inspired countless film, TV and theatre adaptations.