Bunraku: Instructions on Puppeteering

1. When a puppet steps forward, he places his left foot first. A female steps with her right foot first, which is what distinguishes the two sexes
2. A general looks back when he stands up. The other puppets only look back when they leave the stage
3. When a puppet calls out another's name, the puppet points to the sky with their hand
4. To walk slowly, the body should be bent and thighs lifted. To walk in darkness the arms are lifted
5. When asking a question, the puppet steps forward in making a refusal the puppet steps backward. To show fear, the face looks left and right
6. A samurai who arrives as a messenger  takes off his sword when he sits down. An ordinary samurai enters a room with sword in hand
7. Female puppet wipes away tears by moving face and the male wipes away tears
8. A female puppet takes the first three steps slowly and then increases pace when entering the stage
9. Tears may be wiped away with the left hand once in three times. But if the puppet's back is to the audience, it is allowed only once during the whole play
10. To express understanding, the head is raised upward. To express astonishment, the head is raised upward
11. A puppet leans backward to relate to a story and bends forward to listen to a story
12. When two puppets meet, the one with the lowest rank bows without speaking
13. A male puppet moves shoulders when laughing, while a female bends her head with her sleeve before her mouth
14. When fighting begins, there is silence and then a lot of noise
15. When pointing to someone inside, they must point below the eyes of the other puppet
16. The fan held by a puppet is always put down at the same time as a sword. The sword is fixed on the left side of the puppet. A fan is fixed on girdle on the right side
17. A subordinate looks at its master's knees when spoken to. Worship a deity - bow three times
18. Buddha - hands together and head downwards
19. A great master does not move his puppet unless there is a reason to do so
20. It is bad for a puppet to stand idle after speaking, but it is worse to move unnaturally