– Happened = 23rd October, Tokushima City

– Part= Chin.  A small (battery operated) dog.  The character of Chin represents a light-hearted moment in an otherwise sombre play.

– Sequence= Appears in the distance, yapping.  Moves closer when called.  Move towards mochi cakes placed on the floor.  Eat the mochi cakes vigourously, piss, then leave the stage.

– Review= Considering the stage was much larger and actually a completely different shape to the one I practiced on, the performance could have been a disaster.  As it was, there was applause for Chin, despite the fact I got in-between the dog and the audience (a mistake – the dolls must never be obscured).

– Back-stage documentation.  I’m sure you’ve seen Bunraku from the front, so…

-Dressing room.

-A video link in the dressing room shows the stage and auditorium.

-Shadows backstage

-Backdrops

-The stage floor

-Repair work

-Myself and Kusumoto san

-Itoi san with a taiko

– Furuko san

-Yamada san, sensei

-Sozen san

-Tanaka san and Yamao san

-Exhausted doll

-Myself with Chin

– Dayuu

-Dayuu