Classic Rakugo Art Finds a New Audience.

(From Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry (JJTI))

Byline: Kurosawa Tsuneo

The traditional Japanese art of sit-down comic storytelling, rakugo, is once again in the spotlight. Japanese showbiz is taking a fresh look at this seemingly forgotten art, giving a boost to the revival of the former king of pop entertainment. Tokyo hosted a big rakugo festival last summer. The number of young people going to traditional rakugo theaters is now increasing.

Style Unchanged Since Ancient Times Rakugo is a solo show, and the performer is known as rakugo-ka (a rakugo actor) or hanashi-ka (a storyteller). The rakugo storyteller traditionally performs while seated on a cushion at the center of the stage, wearing the traditional outfit that has been unchanged for centuries - a plain kimono with a half-coat called haori. For props, the rakugo-ka comes on the stage with a folding fan and a hand towel (although this is not often used during the performance). Rakugo-ka portrays various characters story by story using voice and gestures, and the program consists of brief original jokes of the day and a repertoire ranging from comics to gripping love stories and horror tales.

Most rakugo-ka are men. They play the roles of young women as well as elderly men. They can become carpenters or lords or commoners, just by changing their voices with gestures. They perform only on a tiny cushion, with a versatility that has endeared generations of rakugo lovers.

Rakugo has a long history, dating back to the late 17th century in the Edo period (1603-1867). It sprang up in major cities such as Edo (the present Tokyo), Osaka and Kyoto, and was staged in small theaters and public bathhouses. It was in the late 18th century that theaters designed mainly for rakugo, known as yose, were first built. In time, there were regular rakugo shows every evening and it became the most popular form of entertainment for the populace.

Dwindling Number of Yose Theaters About 200 years ago, there were some 700 yose theaters in Edo alone, and they numbered more than 200 even 100 years ...