The Institute for Japanese Studies presents:
Rakugo by Yanagiya Tozaburo
Flyer: Rakugo Flyer
Yanagiya Tozaburo returns to OSU for an Autumn semester performance! Rakugo (落語) is a traditional Japanese form of solo storytelling in a style similar to “stand-up” comedy but performed entirely in a kneeling position seated on a zabuton cushion. With only a folding paper fan and a folded handkerchief as props, Rakugo storytellers rely on eye movements, facial expressions and body language to help convey their stories. Tozaburo is a master rakugo performer with the shin’uchi title. His performance will include Japanese storytelling with English subtitles and English storytelling, as well as a short audience participation session followed by Q&A. Come and join us in an evening of exposure to one of Japan’s classical forms of entertainment. Rakugo literally means a “talk with humorous punchlines”.
柳家東三楼 Yanagiya Tozaburo
Born and raised in Tokyo, Yanagiya Tozaburo became a disciple of master rakugo performer Yanagiya Gontaro III (三代目柳家権太楼）in 1999 after dropping out from a college in Tokyo. In 2014 he attained the rakugo master’s rank Shin’uchi, which enabled him to have his own disciples. At that time he officially assumed Yanagiya Tozaburo III (三代目柳家東三楼)as the third successor to this classic rakugo master’s stage name. He has since performed at many yose and other theaters all over Japan, and appeared on many TV programs including the most popular Shou’ten (笑点) rakugo show. He has also performed abroad including a dozen college campuses across the U.S. and Canada.
Tozaburo excels in the classic rakugo stories such as Ikuyo Mochi (幾代餅) a love tale set in the Edo Period, Meguro no Sanma (目黒の秋刀魚) a comedy about a Shogun’s misunderstanding, and Toki Soba (時蕎麦) depicting a silly man trying to cheat a soba noodle vendor. Tozaburo is ambitious in expanding the scope and horizon of rakugo by adapting rakugo stories into stage plays and vice versa. For example, Tazaburo created a rakugo version of “The Darling” in celebration of Anton Chekhov’s 150th anniversary. Tozaburo was awarded the Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival Newcomer Prize in 2016. Currently, Tozaburo is completing his first novel about his late father, rakugo and theater.
Free and open to the public
The IJS Lecture Series is supported by the U.S. Department of Education in the form of Title VI Grant to the OSU East Asian Studies Center. This event is co-sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio (JASCO).
