The Place of Awaji Troupes in the History of Joruri Puppet Theatre

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24520224
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Japanese literature
• Research Institution: Osaka City University
• Principal Investigator: KUBORI HIROAKI 大阪市立大学, 大学院文学研究科, 准教授 (50335402)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 人形浄瑠璃 / 文楽 / 人形芝居 / 淡路座 / 淡路人形 / 近世文学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present investigation I analyze the activities of puppet theatre troupes from the island of Awaji, where an original style of performance evolved in close proximity to the joruri scene in Osaka.On this basis I evaluate the significance of its role in the history of joruri puppet theatre, and following a discussion of its appropriate historical place, I unearth the heritage of the Awaji troupes as I confirm and revive performance practices no longer present in modern bunraku puppet theatre. Hereby, I attempt to relativize (such elements as the art of chanting, shamisen play, puppeteering as well as the heads, wigs, costumes of the puppets and stage props on) the modern bunraku scene with the aim of restoring the diversity of joruri puppet theatre as a performance art form.

Free Research Field

日本近世文学