Puppetry in Different Cultures

Bunraku is a traditional Japanese puppet theater that originated in the 17th century.

Bunraku puppets are typically manipulated by three puppeteers, one for the head and arms, one for the body, and one for the legs.

Wayang Kulit is a traditional Indonesian shadow puppet theater that originated in the 9th century.

Rod puppets are typically made of wood or metal and are manipulated by rods that are attached to their heads and limbs.

Marionette puppet theater originated in Italy in the 16th century.

Marionettes are typically made of wood or metal and are manipulated by strings that are attached to their heads, limbs, and body.

Glove puppet theater originated in China in the 16th century.

Glove puppets are typically made of cloth or leather and are worn on the hand or fingers of the puppeteer.

Rod puppet theater originated in India in the 10th century.

Rod puppets are typically made of wood or metal and are manipulated by rods that are attached to their heads, limbs, and body.

String puppet theater originated in Greece in the 5th century BC.

String puppets are typically made of wood or metal and are manipulated by strings that are attached to their heads, limbs, and body.

Ventriloquist puppet theater originated in the United States in the 19th century.

Ventriloquists use a variety of techniques to create the illusion that the puppet is speaking, including moving their lips and tongue in a way that is not visible to the audience.

Papier-mâché puppet theater originated in France in the 18th century.