How did the samisen become important in Bunraku and Kabuki performances?

The samisen became a cornerstone of Bunraku and Kabuki through its evolution as a primary instrument for narrative music, known as jōruri.12

In the Bunraku puppet theatre, the samisen is essential to the gidayū style. Developed by Takemoto Gidayū and the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon, this tradition requires the samisen player to work in perfect synchronization with a singer-narrator who performs all character roles and commentaries. Because the musical scores provide only the text and basic melodic responses, the player must memorize the entire drama to interpret the narrative’s emotional intensity, effectively bringing the puppets to life through sound.2

In Kabuki, the samisen serves as a fundamental melodic element. In plays derived from puppet dramas, the gidayū musicians (called chobo) perform from a traditional platform. In other Kabuki pieces, the samisen provides the melodic foundation for dance and vocal performances. Its role is often integrated with percussion and flute parts, where the interplay between the samisen’s melody and other instruments creates rhythmic tension that drives the performance toward its conclusion.3