Ancient art of Japanese Bunraku marries language, cultures for American students
Japanese translation | General interest
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ominous in black robes and hoods, three artists move stealthily to manipulate unique charges: 1.2-metre Japanese puppets that are putting a new face on language instruction for college students in Missouri's heartland.
Their art is Bunraku, an ancient form of lyrical theatre in Japan, and their sensei (teacher) is a former Mormon missionary-turned-devotee - University of Missouri professor Martin Holman.