By the 1760s, Kabuki theater became a serious competitor to Japan's traditional Bunraku puppet theater. In annotated translations, Jones (retired, Japanese language, literature, and traditional theater, Pomona College) presents four puppet plays spanning 1769 to 1832. A general introduction notes that the popularity of these sophisticated plays (one is compared to Romeo and Juliet) lives on in adaptations in the Kabuki repertoire. The book includes an introduction to each play, sketch of the puppet stage, and play still photos. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)