PARCO GRAND BAZAR Features Screenwriter Koki Mitani's Traditional Art, Bunraku: "Ningyo Girai"

Since Ikebukuro PARCO opened in 1969, the brand has been a purveyor of culture throughout the Showa, Heisei and Reiwa eras. Continuing to share its colorful outlook with wide audiences, PARCO announced this year’s “GRAND BAZAR,” a major biannual event that will kick off alongside a creative piece featuring “Ningyo Girai.” Ningyo Girai, or Doll Hater, is a story about a Bunraku puppet, written by screenwriter and playwright Koki Mitani.

Bunraku, also known as Ningyo Joruri, is a traditional form of performing arts that originated in the early Edo period in Japan. It’s highly regarded worldwide as a comprehensive art form where the narrator, or the Tayu, the shamisen player and the puppets are united as one. Mr. Mitani, while paying respect to the tradition and artistry of Bunraku, started “Mitani Bunraku,” a form of classical entertainment instilled with a new, contemporary artistic perspective and direction.

In 2012, he debuted his first work, “Sore Nari Shinchu,” an alternate version of the masterpiece “Sonezaki Shinju” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon. Its story, full of laughter and tears, appealed not only to seasoned Bunraku fans but also to those new to Bunraku. It has since been restaged many times throughout the country. Now, “Ningyo Girai” has been announced as the first new work from “Mitani Bunraku” in about 13 years — marking a big moment for the creative and for PARCO.

The story of “Ningyo Girai” is based on the play “Le Misanthrope ou l’Atrabilaire Amoureux,” or The Misanthrope or the Cantankerous Lover, written in 1666 by Molière, one of the three great writers of 17th-century classicism. The story follows the protagonist “Darasuke,” a Bunraku puppet who often plays the role of a petty villain. In the play, Darasuke explodes from his dissatisfaction with being typecast in only supporting or negative roles. Triggered by a certain event, the puppets escape the theater and run around the city of Osaka — these same puppets will be highlighted across PARCO GRAND BAZAR commercials, social media and more.

The primary commercial focuses on the main character, Darasuke, performing tricks on a skateboard while speeding through the city. What can’t be seen behind the scenes is the precise manipulation by three puppeteers, including Mr. Yoshida, and video processing using the latest 3D spatial reconstruction technology, 3D Gaussian Splatting. Each scene is filled with a sense of speed, making it seem as if Darasuke is moving on his own. Viewers will follow along as Darasuke leads them to the “PARCO GRAND BAZAR” venue. An exclusive filter will also be available on TikTok, starting Friday, July 11. A version of Darasuke created from data acquired with 3DGS will use everyday objects as jump ramps to perform tricks, exploring the city and bringing the tale of Ningyo Girai to life.

A talented lineup of members helped Mitani execute his vision. Puppeteer Ichisuke Yoshida helped support and supervise creatively, and the music is composed by shamisen player Tsuruzawa Seisuke. The performers include Takemoto Chitose-tayu, who holds the highest qualification for a Tayu, “kiri-gatari.” The performances will run from Saturday, August 16 to Thursday, August 28 at the “PARCO Theater,” on the 8th floor of “Shibuya PARCO.” All seats are reserved, and tickets are currently on sale.

Various other events will also be held during the GRAND BAZAR period. “LUCKY CHANCE” lottery with no losing tickets will be held for the duration of the event as well, with deluxe prizes such as ¥100,000 ($688 USD) worth of PARCO gift certificates and travel vouchers. Customers who spend ¥5,000 plus tax ($35 USD) or more at any PARCO store nationwide are eligible for one entry per transaction. However, by showing the Pokeparu Pay registration screen in the “POCKET PARCO” app or a PARCO card, customers can enter the lottery twice.

The biannual “PARCO GRAND BAZAR,” with significant price drops on not only fashion finds but also decor items and more, will be held from Friday, July 11 to Monday, July 21 at 15 PARCO stores nationwide. This summer, why not enjoy shopping while also savoring Japan’s traditional performing arts through “Ningyo Girai”?

PARCO GRAND BAZAR:
Friday, July 11 – Monday, July 21 (National Holiday)
Participating Stores: Sapporo, Sendai, Urawa, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Chofu, Hibarigaoka, Kinshicho, Kichijoji, Shizuoka, Nagoya, Shinsaibashi, Hiroshima, Fukuoka PARCO, and PARCO_ya Ueno