'Bunraku'

Bunraku, or Japanese puppet theater, is probably the most developed form of puppetry in the world. It is closer in style to Punch and Judy than Pinnochio as there are no strings and in its early days the puppeteers were hidden behind a curtain. The puppets are large - usually about one-half life size - and the main characters are 'Musume' as the maiden puppet, and the 'Bunshichi' as warrior puppet, operated by three puppetters. Many bunraku plays are historical and deal with the common Japanese theme of giri and ninjo - the conflict between social obligations and human emotions. The greatest works by Japan's most famous play was 'Chikamatsu Monzaemon' (1653~1724).