Hello Everyone!
Have you ever experienced English Rakugo?
As an English coach in Fukushima Smith’s English School, I highly recommend you this English Rakudo performance for English conversation training.
On the 21st January 2016 there will be a Japanese traditional performance by Rakugo Performer, Shinoharu Tatekawa. ” English Rakugo 2016 by Shinoharu” will be Shinoharu’s largest English Rakugo performance in Japan, welcoming over 200 guests of diverse backgrounds.
Rakugo is a traditional Japanese art of comic storytelling that started in the Edo Period. It is best described as stand-up comedy in a story-telling style, established in the late 18th century. As a performance art, a storyteller usually wearing a kimono (Japanese traditional clothing) entertains the audience by playing several characters on the stage.
As the story is being told, the storyteller gradually starts telling the story by acting as the characters in the story, rather than telling it as the narrator. There are usually more than two characters in each story and the performer plays both of them by skillfully switching the tone of his voice, his facial and body expressions. These stories are always funny, and it is the rich usage of wordplay that makes rakugo so enjoyable.
As a traditional art form, Rakugo performances are usually limited to a Japanese audience, but this performance welcomes both Japanese and non-Japanese people alike! It is a great place for Japanese speakers to hone their English language skills whiles they find themselves rediscovering new sides of this Edo-era performance art! Non-Japanese speakers will also be able to experience Rakugo firsthand for the first time, and discover the world of this old art form!
Language barriers should not stop one from discovering the rich tradition behind Rakugo!
Fukushima Smith’s English School.
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