One of Japan’s traditional performing arts, rakugo is a comedic one-man show with a 400-year history. It is usually hard to find performances in anything but Japanese. However, this free show in Osaka is a rare chance to see rakugo in English.
What to expect
Four disciples of the English Rakugo Association will be performing four unique rakugo stories. They will act out their own creations — with titles like Cranes and The Tanuki and a Money Bill. Each skit will be between 10 and 15 minutes.
What is Rakugo?
Rakugo has been described as “a sitcom with one person playing all the parts.” In a rakugo performance, a single storyteller wearing kimono sits onstage and tells a long and comical story. Usually, it’s a discussion between two or more people. The performer changes characters by turning their head and changing their voice’s pitch and tone. The story is told through dialogue, and with the help of a fan and cloth as the only props. A good rakugo performance should make you laugh with nothing but words.
Tickets
Entry to the English Rakugo Show is free, with no reservations needed.
How to get there
The English Rakugo Show will be held at Osaka Youth Center KOKO Plaza, on the 5th floor. The closest train station is Shin-Osaka Station, a 7-minute walk away. This busy station is served by several lines, including the Tokaido-Sanyo Line, the Osaka East Line, and the Midosuji Line.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.