Bunraku is a kind of puppet theater. It was first performed in the 16th century. The puppets are about half of human size, and look very real. Each puppet is operated by three people, who are visible on the stage. Performances can be very emotionally intense.
Modern theater is also popular in Japan.
Tokyo's theaters present many plays from the West including works by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, Williams, and other famous foreign playwrights. Philharmonic orchestras perform a wide variety of music throughout Japan. Japan's film industry has a distinguished history. The first big stars of Japanese films were solitary, sword-fighting heroes. Japan also has a thriving folk tradition.