Introducing the “15th Kagurazaka Rakugo Festival”: Tickets are Running Out
Introducing the “15th Kagurazaka Rakugo Festival”: Tickets are Running Out Don’t Miss Out on the “Kagurazaka Rakugo Festival” We are pleased to introduce the 15th “Kagurazaka Rakugo Festival,” which will be held on Saturday, June 22nd, and Saturday, June 29th, at the Akagi Shrine Sanshuden (Akagi Hall). Before that, let us briefly explain what rakugo is. Rakugo is a form of storytelling that became popular among commoners during the Edo period. It is a traditional Japanese performing art where the storyteller sits and performs humorous or sentimental stories alone, using only a fan (Sensu) and a hand towel (Tenugui) as props. The performer plays multiple roles through gestures and voice variations without moving from their seated position. Each rakugo story ends with a clever punchline called “Ochi” (落ち). The term “Rakugo (Ochi Hanashi)” itself comes from “Otoshi-Hanashi” (落とし噺), which means “punchline story.” Rakugo is also referred to as “Hanashi,” and rakugo performers are often called “Hanashika.” A basic technique of rakugo performers is “Kamishimo wo Kiru” (literally, “cutting upper and lower”), which refers to turning their head and body to the right or left to indicate different characters during a performance. On stage, the right side from the audience’s