BUNRAKU
While puppetry in Japan goes back at least to the 11th century, modern bunraku takes its name from the Bunraku-za organised in Osaka in the early nineteenth century, and was developed by city-dwelling commoners of the Edo period (1600-1868). The puppets used in bunraku are a half to two-thirds human size and require great skill and strength to operate. Each puppet is operated by two assistants and one chief puppeteer. Becoming a master puppeteer is a lengthy process, beginning with ten years spent operating the legs, followed by another ten on the left arm before being permitted to manipulate the right arm, head and eyebrows.
Four main elements comprise a bunraku performance: the puppets themselves; the movements they make; the vocal delivery of the tayu, who chants the narrative and speaks the lines for every character, changing his voice to suit the role; and the solo accompaniment by the three-stringed, lute-like shamisen.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/art/Bunraku
