Talk:Bunraku

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[edit] Copyright violation

A large amount of copyright-infinging text had been added to the article. The article was reverted to "clean" revision (dated 21 December 2005). Conscious 09:41, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

What?!? It took out all my stuff!!! Copyright-infringment my ass!!

[edit] Images

Images of kabuki and bunraku on wikipedia are sorely lacking, as are many articles relating to such subjects; I am working, gradually, to rectify that situation as regards the articles. I have contributed to articles on one puppet troupe, a number of kabuki actors, a few plays, characters, theatres, and ukiyo-e artists, and intend to keep doing so, expanding wikipedia's coverage of such subjects piece by piece, あちこち.

But as it pertains to images, anything anyone can provide would be most helpful. Theatres do not allow photography, I would imagine, and even if they do, it's likely very difficult to get a good shot during performance; images of works of art are highly guarded by the museums and other owners of the art; images from books, often taken by professional photographers, and designed specifically to perfectly illustrate topics or subjects, which would make them *perfect* for Wikipedia, are of course tightly controlled by the copyright holders - publishers, photogrphers, authors, as well.

Again, any help anyone can offer in providing pictures of actors, sets, puppets, ukiyo-e prints, would be wonderful. Thank you. LordAmeth 16:31, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Here are some suggestions for sources. Anyone can look in places like these for possibilities. I ask someone who knows more about copyright and Wikipedia policy to comment on those issues.

Old books including the 1911 Britannica. Plates often contain drawings or photos. Libraries might have books whose copyright has expired.
Old postcards. These can sometimes be picked up from dealers in antiques and curios.
Screen shots. Loads of kabuki and some bunraku has been broadcast and released on various media. Limited use such as in an article on the particular disc might constitute fair use.
Cover images. Releases on disc are accompanied by cover art. Possible fair use for these too.
Archives. The US and other governments have archives with old photos and other images.
Tourist performances. I've never been to a performance at Gion Corner or the other tourist venues, but perhaps they allow photography even though mainstream theaters don't.
Charity appearances. Can't recall seeing any announcements for this sort of thing, but maybe kabuki and bunraku troupes perform at shrines or temples, the way sumo wrestlers do dohyo-iri, or the way the noh group performed at Itsukushima Shrine (see my photo at Noh).