Japan

Rakugo in the World: Traditional Japanese performing arts crossing borders

Date
Fri October 25th 2019, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Event Sponsor
Department of Music, Center for East Asian Studies, Stanford Department of Theater & Performance Studies
Location
Oshman Hall, 355 Roth Way
Rakugo in the World:  Traditional Japanese performing arts crossing borders

Speaker: Shinoharu Tatekawa

About the talk:

Rakugo is a form of Japanese performing arts that has more than 300 years of tradition. The performer tells humorous stories by using only a couple of props and maneuvering his facial expressions and tones of voice. Even old stories of feudal era Japan can bring about laughter from the audience in the present-day Japan. But rakugo transcends not only the time but also space. Recently rakugo performers have been performing rakugo in English and brought the stories and the arts to the world. The audience will learn the secrets of the traditional arts that is crossing the border. Shinoharu Tatekawa will introduce the world of rakugo, including his experience as an apprentice.

The event is free and open to the public. Due to high interest in the event RSVPs are closed. Please check the RSVP link for last minute ticket openings.

About the speaker:

SHINOHARU TATEKAWA is a Rakugo (traditional Japanese comical storytelling) performer born in Osaka, Japan.  He spent a total of 7 years in the U.S during his childhood and college years.  After graduating from Yale University, he worked in Mitsui & Co. Ltd for three years.  In 2002, he was so greatly impressed and inspired when he went to Shinosuke Tatekawa's Rakugo performance, that he decided to give up his corporate career to become a professional Rakugo performer himself by taking up a discipleship with Shinosuke.

After training in the art of Rakugo for eight years, he was promoted to "Futatsume" (a recognized rank for independent Rakugo performers).  He performs traditional stories and original stories, both in Japanese and English.

In 2012, he was invited to the Singapore International Storytelling Festival (SISF), where he was the only Japanese performer featured.  Since then, he has performed regularly in Singapore.  Presently, he travels around Japan and the world to bring Rakugo to audiences around the world. 

Aside from his performances, he has published three books, including an English Rakugo CD book.

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