[National Bunraku Theatre] Information on June Bunraku Appreciation Class
The National Bunraku Theatre will host a "Bunraku Appreciation Class" for beginners from June 4th to 18th. The program features performances of "Dango Uri" and "Futatsu Chochokuruwa Nikki" with explanations, supported by Japanese subtitles and free program pamphlets.
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## Bunraku Appreciation Class (National Bunraku Theatre)
The Bunraku Appreciation Class, held from June 4th (Thu) to 18th (Thu), is designed for those experiencing Bunraku for the first time. Enjoy an easy-to-understand explanation of Bunraku along with masterpiece performances.
Free program pamphlets, including cast information, scripts, and summarized manga storylines, as well as a small booklet "Introduction to Bunraku - Appreciation Guide," will be provided. Japanese subtitles will be displayed at the top of the stage during the performance.
This year's repertoire includes "Dango Uri," a dance wishing for the prosperity of descendants, and the "Hachimanzato Hikimado no Dan" act from the masterpiece "Futatsu Chochokuruwa Nikki," which depicts family conflict between duty and human emotion.
### ◆ "Dango Uri" (The Dumpling Vendor)
A happily married couple who are dumpling vendors, walking around the town of Edo in search of customers, dance a rhythmic performance wishing for the prosperity of their descendants, using their pestle and mortar as metaphors for their relationship. The powerful performance by the chanter (Tayu) and shamisen player, combined with the rhythmic puppet dance, makes for a delightful stage.
*Note: "Dango Uri" will not be performed during the "Introduction to Bunraku for Adults" sessions on June 7 (Sun) and 14 (Sun).
### ◇ Explanation: Welcome to Bunraku
Bunraku is a stage art created through the integration of three elements: the chanter (Tayu), the shamisen player, and the puppet operator. A puppet operator who actually performs on stage will introduce the charms of "Ningyo Joruri Bunraku" with live demonstrations.
*Note: During the "Introduction to Bunraku for Adults" sessions on June 7 (Sun) and 14 (Sun), there will be performances and explanations by the chanter and shamisen player in addition to the puppet operator.
### ◆ "Futatsu Chochokuruwa Nikki" (Diary of Two Butterflies in the Pleasure Quarter): Hachimanzato Hikimado no Dan
In Hachiman Village, near Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto. On the eve of the Iwashimizu Hojo-e festival, popular sumo wrestler Nuregami Chogoro visits his real mother. He is currently on the run after killing two samurai to protect his benefactor. His mother, unaware of the situation, welcomes him. Just then, her stepson, Nan Yohei, returns from the local government office, having been appointed as a magistrate, and is ordered to arrest Chogoro as his first official duty.
Yohei, unaware that Chogoro is his mother's real son, intends to capture him, but his wife gently reprimands him. Realizing the situation through his mother's desperation to protect Chogoro, Yohei hints at his willingness to let him go. Chogoro, prepared to be caught, persuades his mother to let Yohei arrest him so that Yohei can earn merit for his new position. As the mother ties her son with the pull-cord of the hikimado (skylight) to hand him over, what happens next...
### ◆ Performance Period
June 4 (Thu) - June 18 (Thu)
Morning session: 10:30 / Afternoon session: 14:00
*June 7 (Sun) and 14 (Sun) are "Introduction to Bunraku for Adults" (Morning: 11:00 / Afternoon: 14:30)
*Closed on June 9 (Tue)
### ◆ Fee (All seats uniform, tax included)
General: 4,200 yen / Student: 1,600 yen
*20% discount for people with disabilities and one caregiver
### ◆ Ticket Reservation
National Theatre Ticket Center: 0570-07-9900 / 03-3230-3000
Online reservation: https://ticket.ntj.jac.go.jp/
Details: https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/schedule/bunraku/2026/0806bunraku/
The Bunraku Appreciation Class, held from June 4th (Thu) to 18th (Thu), is designed for those experiencing Bunraku for the first time. Enjoy an easy-to-understand explanation of Bunraku along with masterpiece performances.
Free program pamphlets, including cast information, scripts, and summarized manga storylines, as well as a small booklet "Introduction to Bunraku - Appreciation Guide," will be provided. Japanese subtitles will be displayed at the top of the stage during the performance.
This year's repertoire includes "Dango Uri," a dance wishing for the prosperity of descendants, and the "Hachimanzato Hikimado no Dan" act from the masterpiece "Futatsu Chochokuruwa Nikki," which depicts family conflict between duty and human emotion.
### ◆ "Dango Uri" (The Dumpling Vendor)
A happily married couple who are dumpling vendors, walking around the town of Edo in search of customers, dance a rhythmic performance wishing for the prosperity of their descendants, using their pestle and mortar as metaphors for their relationship. The powerful performance by the chanter (Tayu) and shamisen player, combined with the rhythmic puppet dance, makes for a delightful stage.
*Note: "Dango Uri" will not be performed during the "Introduction to Bunraku for Adults" sessions on June 7 (Sun) and 14 (Sun).
### ◇ Explanation: Welcome to Bunraku
Bunraku is a stage art created through the integration of three elements: the chanter (Tayu), the shamisen player, and the puppet operator. A puppet operator who actually performs on stage will introduce the charms of "Ningyo Joruri Bunraku" with live demonstrations.
*Note: During the "Introduction to Bunraku for Adults" sessions on June 7 (Sun) and 14 (Sun), there will be performances and explanations by the chanter and shamisen player in addition to the puppet operator.
### ◆ "Futatsu Chochokuruwa Nikki" (Diary of Two Butterflies in the Pleasure Quarter): Hachimanzato Hikimado no Dan
In Hachiman Village, near Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto. On the eve of the Iwashimizu Hojo-e festival, popular sumo wrestler Nuregami Chogoro visits his real mother. He is currently on the run after killing two samurai to protect his benefactor. His mother, unaware of the situation, welcomes him. Just then, her stepson, Nan Yohei, returns from the local government office, having been appointed as a magistrate, and is ordered to arrest Chogoro as his first official duty.
Yohei, unaware that Chogoro is his mother's real son, intends to capture him, but his wife gently reprimands him. Realizing the situation through his mother's desperation to protect Chogoro, Yohei hints at his willingness to let him go. Chogoro, prepared to be caught, persuades his mother to let Yohei arrest him so that Yohei can earn merit for his new position. As the mother ties her son with the pull-cord of the hikimado (skylight) to hand him over, what happens next...
### ◆ Performance Period
June 4 (Thu) - June 18 (Thu)
Morning session: 10:30 / Afternoon session: 14:00
*June 7 (Sun) and 14 (Sun) are "Introduction to Bunraku for Adults" (Morning: 11:00 / Afternoon: 14:30)
*Closed on June 9 (Tue)
### ◆ Fee (All seats uniform, tax included)
General: 4,200 yen / Student: 1,600 yen
*20% discount for people with disabilities and one caregiver
### ◆ Ticket Reservation
National Theatre Ticket Center: 0570-07-9900 / 03-3230-3000
Online reservation: https://ticket.ntj.jac.go.jp/
Details: https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/schedule/bunraku/2026/0806bunraku/
FAQ
6月の文楽鑑賞教室はいつ開催されますか？
2026年6月4日（木）から6月18日（木）まで開催されます。なお、6月9日（火）は休演日です。
鑑賞教室で上演される演目を教えてください。
『団子売』、『解説 文楽へようこそ』、『双蝶々曲輪日記』より「八幡里引窓の段」の3本です。
鑑賞教室のチケット料金はいくらですか？
全席均一で、一般4,200円、学生1,600円です。障害者割引（2割引）も適用されます。
初心者でも文楽を楽しめますか？
はい。文楽についてのわかりやすい解説や、無料のパンフレット・小冊子の配布、舞台上部での日本語字幕表示があり、初心者でも楽しめる公演内容となっています。
「大人のための文楽入門」とはどのような公演ですか？
6月7日と14日に実施される特別公演で、通常の解説に加えて太夫・三味線弾きの実演と解説があります。なお、『団子売』の上演はありません。