Week 2 Research (Part A): Japanese Background & Set Design

June 17, 2018

Week 2 Research (Part A): Japanese Background & Set Design

To explore the background & set design, we went to experience Bunraku performance and learn the stage and set design of this art. We also went to the ceremony in Sumiyoshi Taisha, Kyoto and Fireworks Festival in Sakai.

Apart from having a taste of Japanese tradition, I found out how ancient people made good handcrafts, like backdrop and puppets to tell a story.

Exploration Spots (Highlighted Research Spots) :

1. 国立文楽劇場 Bunraku Theater
2. 黑門市場 Kuromon Ichiba
3. 上方浮世繪館 Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
4. 住吉大社 Sumiyoshi Taisha：御田植神事（おたうえしんじ）
5. Kyoto International Manga Museum
6. <Kyoto> 嵐山 Arashiyama
7. 布引溪流 Nunobiki Falls
8. 清水寺 Kiyomizu-dera
9. 祇園 Gion (花見小路Hanamikoji Dori)
10. 伏見稻荷大社 Fushimi Inari-taisha
11. 錦市場 Nishiki Market
12. 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine
13. 堺市 Sakai：煙花大會 Fireworks Festival at 浜寺公園 Hamadera Park

1. 国立文楽劇場 Bunraku Theater

We went to the theatre for the Bunraku performance.

Japanese all dressed formally. Some even wore the kimono to should the respect for the performance.

This is the first time I had a glimpse of Bunraku. The performance was so nice and impressed me. There is an introduction of the stage design and puppets before the story started.

Some booklets for beginners to know about the stage design.

No matter for the puppets or the stage, all are well designed. The backdrops were drawn delicately and arranged well. The performers required a lot of energy for moving the heavy puppet and singing. However they are very professional that tried hard to tell a story, even they were sweating during the last part.

Only a few set designs were displayed outside. Every part of the puppets was very detailed, even people cannot see it in the audience seat. The skeletons were hidden nicely by the costumes, which made a good illusion when it moves.

It was like watching a live animation show. The theory of the stages, background and puppet set design are a good reference for making a stop-motion animation. The presentation of the story, like how to change the backdrop and the puppets appear with the background is fun too.

I was amazed by the beauty of Bunraku and the old history of it. It is worth studying more in the future too.

2. 黑門市場 Kuromon Ichiba

One of the famous markets in Osaka.

The market was built with some ceilings, which makes the environment look warmer with some light source came in.

13. 上方浮世繪館 Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum

We booked the Ukiyo-e Making Workshop (Beginner) in advanced and we went there on Wednesday.

Tools for making Ukiyo-e.

The product I came out.

It was like the printmaking I did during primary school. I did not expect Ukiyo-e was made like this and quite difficult to control. I messed up the picture several times due to the unstable ink control.

However, it was an awesome experience to know how Ukiyo-e was made. I knew better how to appreciate the artworks when I walked around the museum too.

An example exhibited with the process and tools.

Japanese artists like using animals as the main body in the fantasy theme, like the foxes, transform to a human being through witchcraft in order to express their affection. They all established an imaginative world in the artworks.

For the background, a ramp color is used at the back with simple nature scenery illustrated, like Sakura and grasses.

There is a lot of similarity between Chinese paints and Ujiyo-e. For instances, most of them use one point perspective and some even do not have the correct perspective inside the picture. The thing they concerned is showing the most beautiful angle of that objects and characters.

Image result for â€˜Ladies Concert (å®®æ¨‚åœ–)

Chinese Paint: Ladies Concert (宮樂圖) from the Internet.

One of the Pictures taken from the museum.

Ukiyo-e looks like ancient Greek arts which obsessed with animals. The perspective is simple with dramatic character's gesture. They are weird but fun.

Inspirations Ancient Greek Art
With Ancient Greece

Greek art from the Internet.

Many witchcraft symbols appear in different artworks.

4. 住吉大社 Sumiyoshi Taisha：御田植神事（おたうえしんじ）

We rushed to Sumiyoshi Taisha after classes.

This event was established every summer to pray for the harvest before farming. People were all well dressed in costumes according to their position, like the army and Miko. They matched with the temple and the audience could taste the Japanese tradition.

Voluntary from primary schools.

People gathered in the center and start the main ceremony with taiko drumming. Farmers transplanted with a large big cow and Miko danced Urayasu no Mai (浦安ノ舞) to pray for luck.