Bunraku Backstage
Bunraku Backstage
October 4, 2024—January 19, 2025Alongside the live bunraku performances held at Japan Society this fall, Bunraku Backstage offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the theater. Bunraku, a dramatic art integrating performances of skilled puppetry, shamisen music, and narration, has evolved since the early 17th century in Japan and is recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.” Showcasing actual working puppets, costumes, props, and instruments on loan from the National Bunraku Theatre, Osaka, in celebration of their 40th anniversary, this exhibition unveils the collaboration that goes into staging a bunraku production. Unexpected multimedia installations by contemporary artists—Sugimoto Hiroshi, Tamura Yuichiro, and Basil Twist—all of which re-interpret and revive the artistic language of bunraku, explore the theater’s ongoing inspiration and influence.
Admission Information
Thursdays & Fridays: 11 am–7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays: noon-7 pm
Free First Fridays, 7-9 pm*
Closed on major holidays
Tickets
$12 nonmembers
$10 students and seniors
Tickets include entry to both of our fall exhibitions, Acky Bright: Studio Infinity and Bunraku Backstage.
Admission is always free for members, patrons with disabilities and an accompanying Personal Care Assistant. There is an additional $1.00 service charge for all non-member ticket types purchased.
*November 1, 2024; December 6, 2024; January 3, 2025
Exhibition-Related Events
Exhibition 3D Tour
► Explore 3D Space Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series
Continue your exploration of Japanese puppet theater by attending a live performance in the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry series. Japan Society is showcasing a full series of puppet-themed events, from dramatic traditional arts to enchanting world premieres, and revivals to historical “spin-offs”—all drawn from the creative well of Japan’s rich puppetry culture. Check out more details here.
Top Image: Courtesy of National Bunraku Theatre, Osaka; Inset Image: Yuichiro Tamura, Invisible Hands, 2022. 3-channel video, sound, inkjet print, ceramic, and shop curtain. Collection of Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Photo: Furukawa Yuya
Bunraku Backstage is generously supported by Takenaka Corporation.
Product support for Bunraku Backstage is generously provided by Sony Corporation of America.
Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Exhibitions and Arts & Culture Lecture Programs are made possible, in part, by Sompo Holdings, Inc.; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund; the Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund established by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation; The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; Peggy and Dick Danziger; Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka; Barbara Bertozzi Castelli; and Gallery Circle members. Support for Arts & Culture Lecture Programs is provided, in part, by the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund.
Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor for Japan Society gallery exhibitions.
