Hand Puppet performance produced by Bunraku

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文楽が生んだギニョール操演
Hand Puppet (Guignol) performance produced by Bunraku (Japanese puppet theatre)

ピアノ線による操演で暴れ回った八岐大蛇は､ 一方で「ゴジラ」以来のギニョール(手踊り人形)で効果が上げられていた。 海外作品における、いわゆるマペット操演が表情を細かく見せることに対 し、東宝特撮のギニョールは、芝居(動き)を重視した点で、文楽の伝統をもった日本ならではの演 出技法だったといえようか。それぞれのギニョールカットを画面から見つけ出すのもまたおもしろい。

On the other hand, the Yagi Daija, which was rampaged by the piano wire, was effective with Guignol (hand dance doll) since “Godzilla.” In contrast to the so-called “Muppet” performance in overseas works, Toho Tokusatsu’s Guignol emphasizes the play (movement), so it can be said that it was a performance technique unique to Japan with the tradition of Bunraku. It is also interesting to find each Guignol cut on the screen.

Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇) is an eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent in Japanese mythology. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamata_no_Orochi

Guignol is the main character in a French puppet show which has come to bear his name. It represents the workers in the silk industry of France. Definition: puppet especially : hand puppet — compare marionette. 2 : puppet show. 3 : a theatrical production featuring melodramatic tension, horror, and shock.

Source: ゴジラ画報第2版, B Media Books, p 87.