How are Bunraku puppets operated by three puppeteers?

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bugaku performance — Japanese performing arts *Bugaku*, a court dance adapted to Japanese tastes from the dance and music of 8th-century China and Korea.

In Bunraku, the traditional Japanese puppetry theatre, principal dolls are operated by three highly trained manipulators working in unison to achieve lifelike movement and emotional expression.1

The roles are divided as follows:

The Chief Handler: Dressed in formal 18th-century attire, this puppeteer controls the doll's head and right hand. They are responsible for the most intricate movements, including the eyes, eyebrows, lips, and fingers.1
Two Helpers: These puppeteers are dressed and hooded in black to remain visually inconspicuous to the audience. One helper operates the doll's left hand, while the other manages the legs and feet. For female dolls, which lack legs, the second helper instead manipulates the movement of the kimono.1

This complex coordination requires years of rigorous training to ensure the puppet’s actions appear fluid and natural during the performance of the chanted dramatic narrative known as jōruri.1