This is a doll or a puppet used in a Japanese Puppet Theater know as BUNRAKU [文楽] or Ningyō jōruri [人形浄瑠璃].

It is a classic art orginated in Osaka back in 1872.

Basically, there are THREE performers:

1. Ningyōtsukai or Ningyōzukai - Puppeteers
2. Tayū - the chanters
3. Shamisen players

The puppeteer can be more than one who controlled the puppet:

1. The omozukai control the right hand side of the puppet using his right hand.
   
2. The hidarizukai or sashizukai manipulates the left hand side of the puppet with a control rod that extends back from the elbow of the puppet with his right hand.
3. the ashizukai, operates the feet and legs.

The puppeteers wear hooded black ropes on stage but they can perform unhooded, which the performance known as dezukai.

If any of you aware, this type of theatre can be linked to KABUKI performance. Kabuki plays by actors whereas Bunraku deals with puppets. Kabuki is a performer's theater while Bunraku is an author's theater. Bunraku is famous for the story of lovers' suicide plays.

If you watch their graceful and life-like movements, it is hardly to imagine that they are being control by 3 people. To achieve that effect, it will take YEARS of training and efforts for them to work in perfect harmony.

The drama, Yoshitsune sembon-zakura, was first performed in 1749. A historical tale of warfare, jealousy, and love, with a beautifully choreographed dance sequence, it tells the story of the dashing hero, Minamoto No Yoshitsune.

The most famous bunraku playwright was Chikamatsu Monzaemon. With more than one hundred plays to his credit, he is sometimes called the Shakespeare of Japan.

Bunraku companies, performers, and puppet makers have been designated "Living National Treasures" under Japan's program for preserving its culture.

So much can be browsed through wikipedia.
A video example can be viewed here.

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Don't you think it looks like ventriloquism? I've been browsing for it and it looks like ventriloquism originated from GREECE, known as gastromancy (Greek: εγγαστριμυθία). They use it for the dead to tell its story through the puppet as I understand it.

Also, if you are a MAJOR FAN of NARUTO, do you know Kankuro? He uses a puppet as his weapon, right?
Well, I do WISH that this kind of classic art-BUNRAKU, could perform in Brunei

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I'm interested in this classical art after I watched this anime, Master Puppet Sakon.


Honestly, I this anime! The genre is THRILLER. The protagonist solves mysteries, murders and horrific crimes. If you guys love detectives story, you should watch this anime. It is how he solved the mysteries that intrigues me and the puppets as well.

Have a great day peepz
PS: If I have incorrect information, feel free correct it.. I'm a human for heaven sake, not a saint..hehehe