The lovers' exile

Description

Penniless clerk Chubei embezzles public funds to release his lover, the prostitute Unegawa, from her contract at the teahouse. This is the entire plot of "The Lovers' Exile," by classic Japanese dramatist Monzaemon Chikamatsu (1673-1724), the Shakespeare of Bunraku theatre. Bunraku combines the arts of puppetry, a particularly Japanese form of dramatic recitation called joruri, and musical accompaniment by the shamisen. This performance is by the Bunraku Ensemble of Osaka, which includes a number of players who are Living National Treasures of Japan. "The Lovers' Exile" is the only filmed adaptation of a classic Bunraku performance [at time of filming].

Runtime

87 minutes

Subjects

Contributor

Geography

Genre

Database

Alexander Street

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