[National Bunraku Theatre] Autumn Bunraku Special Performance “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki”! Image
URL: Agency for Cultural Affairs Press release: September 8, 2025 To Members of the Press [National Bunraku Theatre] Autumn Bunraku Special Performance “Sonezaki Shinju”! This is your perfect opportunity to see the much talked about blockbuster movie “Sonezaki Shinju”! Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1030/47048-1030-fea452baa1e9a1fb3e66dbe6340b033f-2625×2700.jpg
Bunraku puppet theater production “Sonezaki Shinju” (from the April 2023 performance) The film “National Treasure” has become an unprecedented hit, approaching the top spot in the all-time box office rankings for live-action Japanese films. Among its many memorable scenes, the actors’ realistic performances in the kabuki play “Sonezaki Shinju” have garnered significant attention. “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki” is a popular play that is performed in both Kabuki and Bunraku, but even if you look all over the country, the only place you can see it right now is at the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka, during the special Autumn Bunraku performance from September 6th to October 14th (according to our theater research as of September 8th). Why not experience the world of traditional performing arts by watching “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki,” which is depicted as a play within a play in the film? “Sonezaki Shinju” is a work written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon in 1703 for puppet theater, based on a true story of a double suicide. This work pioneered the “sewamono” (domestic drama) genre, which dramatizes contemporary events, and was met with great acclaim at the time. Performances of the play subsequently ceased, but after the war it was revived in succession as a kabuki and bunraku play, becoming a popular play to this day. The highlight is undoubtedly the Tenmaya Act, where 19-year-old Tenmaya Ohatsu asks 25-year-old apprentice Tokubei about his resolve to commit suicide (photo above). This scene, which is also featured in the film, is depicted in Bunraku as Tokubei takes Ohatsu’s ankle and places it against her throat, accompanied by the narrator, the tayu, who narrates the story, narrating the “throat-stroking.” By appreciating the unique expressiveness of the puppets and appreciating the differences between Bunraku and Kabuki, you may discover the profound depth of traditional performing arts. The Autumn Bunraku Special Performance will feature “Sonezaki Shinju” in Program C. Program C will begin at 6:00 PM (scheduled to end at 8:00 PM) from September 6th to 25th (first half), and begin at 11:00 AM (scheduled to end at 1:15 PM) from September 26th to October 14th (second half). While the excitement of the movie theater is still fresh, why not experience “Sonezaki Shinju” live on stage at a theater? Autumn Bunraku Special Performance (National Bunraku Theatre) ◆Performance A-Pro “Welcome to BUNRAKU!” ” “Koi Nyobo Somebu Tetsuna” “Hidaka Kawairi Aikao” B Pro “Shinchu Tenmijima” C Pro “Welcome to BUNRAKU! ” “Sonezaki Shinsu” ◆Performance schedule
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47048/1030/47048-1030-dd5379d40a9480efc519b122d63540e3-2268×610.jpg ◆Fees A Program: General admission 6,000 yen (student admission 4,200 yen) B Program: General admission 6,700 yen (student admission 4,600 yen) C Pro…General Admission: 6,000 yen (Students: 4,200 yen) ◆Ticket Application National Theatre Ticket Center [Telephone Reservations] (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM) 0570-07-9900 03-3230-3000 (Some IP phones, etc.) [Online Reservations] National Theatre Ticket Center
https://ticket.ntj.jac.go.jp/ ◆Performance information details
https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/schedule/bunraku/2025/7/ For more
information about this release
