Rakugo, a popular form of comic storytelling, has played a major role in Japanese culture and society. Developed during the Edo (1600–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912) periods, it is still popular today, with many contemporary Japanese comedians having originally trained as rakugo artists. Rakugo is divided into two distinct strands, the Tokyo tradition and the Osaka tradition, with the latter having previously been largely overlooked. This pioneering study of the Kamigata (Osaka) rakugo tradition presents the first complete English translation of five classic rakugo stories, and offers a history of comic storytelling in Kamigata (modern Kansai, Kinki) from the seventeenth century to the present day. Considering the art in terms of gender, literature, performance, and society, this volume grounds Kamigata rakugo in its distinct cultural context and sheds light on the 'other' rakugo for students and scholars of Japanese culture and history.

Awards

• Winner, Inoue Yasushi Award for Outstanding Research in Japanese Literature, Culture and Art, Inoue Yasushi Memorial Foundation

Reviews & endorsements

‘Shores includes five translations of full rakugo classics from the Kamigata repertoire, providing many performance details and giving readers a better idea of what this lively, raucous art form might be like to experience live … Recommended.’ C. Lanki, Choice Connect

Customer reviews

Product details

• Date Published: August 2021
• format: Hardback
• isbn: 9781108831505
• length: 270 pages

• dimensions: 234 x 158 x 21 mm
• weight: 0.535kg
• availability: Available