History of Rakugo, one of Japan's most representative traditional performing arts

Rakugo is a traditional Japanese performance form and is an art form that entertains audiences through humorous stories and laughs. It has a long history dating back to the Edo period, and has produced many famous rakugo performers such as Sanyutei Encho and Katsura Bunraku.

This article will explain the history of Rakugo.

What is Rakugo? ?

Rakugo is characterized by the “punch line” at the end of the story.

The punch line is the ending of a story, joke, etc. that creates surprise or laughter. Unlike other traditional performing arts such as Kabuki, Rakugo tells the story using only gestures and gestures, and each person plays multiple roles. It is a very simple and familiar performing art that uses as little costumes and stage equipment as possible, and the world of the story expands through the skill of the performers and the imagination of the listeners.

What is the history of Rakugo?

Rakugo began from the end of the Muromachi period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period, with people called “Otogishu” who served alongside feudal lords from the Sengoku period, talked with them, and communicated the state of affairs.

One of them, a Jodo sect monk named Anrakuan Sakuden, performed a “story” with a humorous punch line in front of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, much to his delight. In the Edo period, people appeared who would listen to stories for a fee, such as “Hikohachi Yonezawa” in Osaka, “Tsu no Gorobei” in Kyoto, and “Shikano Buzaemon” in Edo. Thus, “yose”was born.

summary

How was that. Rakugo is a traditional performing art that symbolizes Japanese culture. Please come and see it when you come to Japan.

Japan Kabuki | History and charm