Puppets





パペット Puppets


 * The puppets have special names that reflect their characteristics.


 * Puppets had movable eyes and eyebrows.


 * Puppets are carved out of wood and were very detailed that were painted and costumed.


 * They had special wigs called Kazura made out of human hair and shaped into many different hair styles.


 * Costumes are elaborate and change according to class and gender of the puppet.

an under robe a kimono and outer jacket a sash
 * __Costumes consist of:__
 * they also carry small props like a handkerchief


 * Puppets are very large. They can sometimes be the size of humans.


 * Each puppet is operated by 3 skilled puppeteers.



prepares them for every performance. If he finds any problems with the puppets heads he fixes them.
 * The Kashira Tanto is the head master, he is in charge of repainting the puppets heads and

*The heads of the puppets are made of wood and carved hollow and are place on a special head grip stick called Dogushi that is placed through a hold in the shoulder board. This is the stick that the Omo-Zukai operated the facial expressions with. The facial expressions are moved by a stick attached to a head and there are strings attached to the stick that makes the facial expressions change.

volume in the wig they use yak tail hair. No oil is used in the wigs because the oil with ruin the faces of the puppet. Water and beeswax is used to style the hair.
 * The wigs are made out of human hair and sewed onto copper plates. If they want to create


 * The puppet heads are separated between male and female then into age, social class and personality traits.


 * If there are 2 similar puppets in 2 different plays then they must use the same heads for both plays.


 * Sometimes the puppet heads are repainted so they can look more like the character. Or the wig can be change.


 * There are specific heads for puppets; like for child puppets and other puppets that are meant for one man puppeteers (Tsume-Ningyo)

*There are long pieces of fabrics that are draped in the front and the back of the shoulder board and are attached to bamboo hoops, very simple.

*Loofahs are attached at the shoulders to give it a round look to the puppet.

*Legs and arms were attached separately to the shoulder board via strings.

*Female puppets aren't allowed to have legs at all. it is a rule.

*The Ashi-Zukai sticks his fists in the hem of the female dolls robes to make it look like she is walking.

*A wooden armature (Sashigane) is attached to the puppets left hand. This is how the Hidari-Zukai operates the left hand and arm.