The Music Tradition in Japanese Bunraku and Javanese Wayang Kulit: A Comparative Study

Although bunraku and wayang kulit are similar puppet performances , the role of music employed is very different. Wayang kulit music is classified as accompanying music that follows the puppet movement. Bunraku music, on the other hand, is better classified as narrative music that leads the puppet movement. In other words, bunraku does not have overtures, whereas wayang kulit could not be given successfully without overtures. Still, there are some significant similarities between bunraku and wayang kulit. The scales are used to support the dramatic performance, and the music is used to create performance atmosphere and the general tone of the work