Hi all, long time no see! Hope everything is well with you!
I am sorry about my long absence… a lot have been happening in my rakugo journey… I will have to catch up in another article about my latest projects soon!
I have just realised that I have not introduced the rap song that my Japanese rapper friend, Kotaro Akiyama, kindly composed for me a while ago.
It’s really catchy, and a lot of thoughts must’ve gone into this project. I am very moved that he gave me this one of the most thoughtful gifts ever in my life! Thank you so very much Akiyama-san!!!
Some of my English-speaking friends have asked me for the English translation of the lyrics, so I will give you rough translation below next to the Japanese lyrics.
Sorry it will be a bit of a Japanglish!
Rakugo Life
Access to the audience’s imagination
This process is not always a success story
English Rakugo born in NZ, check out Kanariya Eishi
Fell in love with rakugo at the age of 10
The ordinary and the poor are on the centre stage
Silly episodes with loose screws
Adorable crazy characters
Crazy and adorable
Because I’m crazy!
S, s, screw, s, s, s, screw
Folks missing a screw or two unfold
Chaotic tales with punchlines
Jugemu jugemu gokouno surikire
Kaijari suigyono suigyoumatsu unraimatsu furaimatsu
Journey to the world of rakugo through shelves-full of
Cassette tapes from Oiso Library
Devoured hundreds of tales
The boy who dreamed of becoming a storyteller
Found himself being a stand-up comedian in America
Fell in love with his partner, a major turn
Tied the knot, to the southern hemisphere, New Zealand
Life is unpredictable, unforeseen plot
How you end your story is up to you
Time goes, scenery changes
Ain’t let go of the torch of passion
Ignite the fuse with sparks
Back to the world of rakugo again
Ecstasy in the rakugo universe
Now share rakugo with pupils
Stage name gifted by Master Eiraku
Kanariya, yeah, extremely dangerous!
Check it out! Kanariya Eishi
落語人生ラップ
聞き手の想像力にアクセス
サクセスストーリーとは限らんぜこのプロセス
英語落語NZ産 鹿鳴家英志チェックしときな
落語に魅せられ10歳で虜
大衆貧困層が主に主人公
ねじ外れ滑稽なエピソード
クレイジーな様が愛らしいんだな
クレイジー愛らしい
Because I’m crazy!
ネッネジが ネッネッネネネネジが
１本や２本抜け落ちた市民が
やたら賑わす巻き起こす落としばなし
寿限無 寿限無 五劫のすりきれ
海砂利水魚の水行末 雲来末
カセットテープで落語を楽しんだ
大磯町立図書館 行けば豊富にあった
数百の噺貪りほうばった
噺家目指した少年は
いつしかアメリカに渡りStand-up comedian
ここでパートナーと出会って大転換
結婚後移住 南半球 NewZealand
人生は意外 想定外な展開
どこではなし落とすかはてめぇ次第
されば時が経てど場所変われど
決して消さねぇぞ情熱灯を
着火源 落語への導火線
火花散らし舞い戻れ Back again
無我夢中 落語の宇宙
今じゃ生徒に落語を伝授
師匠英楽から授かる屋号
鹿鳴家 yeah かなりヤベー！
Check it out ! 鹿鳴家英志
English Rakugo NZ 