[Video][Accidental]
[The communicator switches on when it hits the floor. It's in the high school library which is empty save for Sakon, holding the redhaired puppet Ukon. It's hard to tell what they're doing at first, but it seems they're in the middle of rehearsing a scene from the final act of The Courier from Hell, Ukon playing out Chubei's movements with expert skill from Sakon.
For anyone that understands much about Bunraku, the part of the play they're acting out generally requires more than the normal three puppeteers to control the puppet's movements and Sakon is doing it by himself. The spectacle is silent, graceful, and eerie as Ukon seems far too life-like for any puppet, and Sakon just seems to fade into the background. It's a strange mix of acting and dancing, and in some ways it's hard to tell if it's Sakon or Ukon that's guiding the other.
At last, Ukon in the role of Chubei reaches his death scene, and Sakon gradually lowers him down and the puppet's eyes close.
They remain like that for a while, still as stone, before one blue eye cracks open and the puppet frowns.]
Ya bumped somethin' somewhere when I was buyin' out Umegawa's contract.
My foot slipped. I apologize.
Eh, no biggy. Not many good places we can practice.
[Sakon stands and Ukon is brushing himself off, before plucking out his kiseru and lighting it.]
It wasn't bad. You're not getting out of practice at least, but it sucks I'm the only puppet here. It'd be nice to get some others! Ahhh, a work of art like me is supposed to be on the stage.
Unfortunately there aren't many solo roles for a bunraku.
Yeah. Hey! Yer a smart guy Sakky! Write me a play. You could write it and I could act it! It'd be perfect!
Easier said than done, Ukon. A play about one person is a boring thing indeed.
Eh. Oh well. No harm in asking.
[Sakon sits down at a table, covered in notes and books and begins to comb Ukon's hair as the puppet runs his mouth. Eventually, the feed times out.]
For anyone that understands much about Bunraku, the part of the play they're acting out generally requires more than the normal three puppeteers to control the puppet's movements and Sakon is doing it by himself. The spectacle is silent, graceful, and eerie as Ukon seems far too life-like for any puppet, and Sakon just seems to fade into the background. It's a strange mix of acting and dancing, and in some ways it's hard to tell if it's Sakon or Ukon that's guiding the other.
At last, Ukon in the role of Chubei reaches his death scene, and Sakon gradually lowers him down and the puppet's eyes close.
They remain like that for a while, still as stone, before one blue eye cracks open and the puppet frowns.]
Ya bumped somethin' somewhere when I was buyin' out Umegawa's contract.
My foot slipped. I apologize.
Eh, no biggy. Not many good places we can practice.
[Sakon stands and Ukon is brushing himself off, before plucking out his kiseru and lighting it.]
It wasn't bad. You're not getting out of practice at least, but it sucks I'm the only puppet here. It'd be nice to get some others! Ahhh, a work of art like me is supposed to be on the stage.
Unfortunately there aren't many solo roles for a bunraku.
Yeah. Hey! Yer a smart guy Sakky! Write me a play. You could write it and I could act it! It'd be perfect!
Easier said than done, Ukon. A play about one person is a boring thing indeed.
Eh. Oh well. No harm in asking.
[Sakon sits down at a table, covered in notes and books and begins to comb Ukon's hair as the puppet runs his mouth. Eventually, the feed times out.]