The opera at the MET was an other worldly experience. The beautiful chandeliers and red carpets created the perfect atmosphere for watching the timeless piece, Madame Butterfly. The use of a puppet for the son helped weave Japanese Bunraku theatre into this Western opera.

When I first saw the puppet on the stage, I thought the puppet was a real child. I assumed that the three people were following the child for moral support. However, after a few minutes, I realized the child was a puppet. I did not understand why there were some many people with the puppet. Usually, when I think of a puppet, I think of a sock that one person controls, kind of like the muppets.

I developed a greater appreciation for the puppets after watching a youtube video on Bunraku theatre. The video showed the use of the gadgets and string to control the head of the puppet. The amount of thought and training that goes into controlling the puppets is stunning. The emotions that are conveyed through one face is fantastic. I wish I was closer to the stage so I could see the emotions of the grace that the boy in Madame Butterfly.

One feature that stood out to me was when Butterfly forces the child head down to bow. This reminded me of Ruth Benedict’s claim that at a young age children are taught the hierarchy. Another scene that stood out was when the boy, Butterfly and Suzuki waited for Pinkerton to return. The puppet is depicted as falling asleep on his mom. The changing light of day and silence broke my heart. The puppet, although not real was still able to act like a child. It added cultural depth to Madame Butterfly and in a strange way the inanimate object helped to bring the opera to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4G68civvo8 (video I watched about Banku theatre).