The Nippon Bunraku Project Brings Barrier-Free Performances of Classical Puppet Theater to Ise Shrine

A portable stage brings bunraku to an outdoor audience. (Performance: Ninin sanbasō [Two Sanbasō Dancers])

With capacity audiences attending each performance, the four days ended in great success. (Performance: “The Traveling Hand Drum Travel-Dance” from Yoshitsune senbon-zakura [Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees]).

The start of the oneri procession at the entrance to Okage-Yokochō drew a large crowd of onlookers.

Leading the oneri procession were the song and dance of the Ise Ondo Hozon Kai (Ise Folk Dance Preservation Society).

Onlookers exclaimed in delight at the bunraku puppets dressed in colorful costumes.

A group photograph in front of the large torii before Uji Bashi and the Inner Shrine.

Toyotake Rodayū VI crossing Uji Bridge.

A Nippon Bunraku banner stands at the north entrance of the Outer Shrine.

A staff meeting is held before a performance. Many volunteers participated, mostly students of the local Kōgakkan University.

Braille pamphlets and audio guides (upper left). Multipurpose toilets installed beside the stage (upper right). Simultaneous sign language interpretation accompanied the explanation of bunraku provided between programs by the tayū chanter, shamisen player, and puppeteer (below).

People reported that tablet computers were very helpful.

Performance staff distribute audio guides to people requesting them.

Visitors were invited to take photographs with bunraku puppets during the intermission.

People in wheelchairs and their caregivers sitting side by side.

Toyotake Rodayū VI gives expression to the full range of human emotions.

The stage is beautifully lit up in an evening performance.