Dolls of Japanese warriors Oda Nobunaga and Takeda Shingen from the Sengoku Period are on display at doll museum Jusaburo-kan in Ningyo-cho, Tokyo. -- JT: Toshiki Sawaguchi photos

Although the face of the kimono-clad puppet is set, Jusaburo Tsujimura deftly manipulates the two wires controlling its hands and head to express the sorrowful feelings of a heart-broken woman.

The heroine's lament is punctuated by a "chanson" singer, who belts out the words of unrequited love.

The audience sits transfixed.