In Japan, there is a traditional form for stage comedians called rakugo (落語). Literally meaning “a story with a fall,” it’s performed by a solo comedian sitting on their knees Japanese-style on a cushion onstage. Rakugo artists often tell stories of Japanese folklore—always humorous, sometimes sentimental, with multiple characters and situations—all acted out with only a folding fan and a cloth for props and the performer always remaining seated.
Rakugo performed in English has proven to be popular around the Western world. Canadian comedian Katsura Sunshine, who apprenticed under rakugo master Katsura Bunshi IV in 2011, performs in Tokyo, New York, and elsewhere around the world. In addition to traditional stories, he also about his own experiences of life in Japan, bringing Japanese culture to his audiences in a funny and educational way.
Now, Katsura Sunshine is bringing this traditional Japanese comedy to Minneapolis. On Tuesday, October 7, at 8:00 p.m., he will give a rakugo performance at the Phoenix Theater in a show coproduced by the Japan America Society of Minnesota. Tickets are $27 and available online at www.rakugo.lol/min.
Courtesy of JASM
If you are interested in Japanese culture and tradition and want to learn more in an offbeat comedic way, you should give this performance a try! You can get a taste of Katsura Sunshine’s performance style on YouTube.
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