If youโve been following NHKโs hit TV drama Bakebake (The Ghost Writerโs Wife) like my parents, you already know how Japanโs rich tradition of ghost stories and folklore continues to captivate audiences nationwide. The drama, inspired by the life and works of Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), has brought renewed attention to the eerie yet beautiful tales that shaped Japanโs cultural imagination.
For those unfamiliar with Hearn, he published Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things in 1904, a remarkable compilation of Japanese ghost stories. Before its publication, these tales had been passed down locally in various regions of Japan, but this volume immortalised them and introduced them to the rest of the country- and eventually the world. Mind you, the book was first written in English and only later translated into Japanese.
Without Hearnโs work, stories like Hoichi the Earless (่ณใชใ่ณไธ), Yuki Onna (Snow Woman; ้ชๅฅณ), Rokurokkubi (a longโnecked yokai; ใใใ้ฆ), and Mujina (Japanese badger/raccoon dog; ใ ใธใ) might never have reached us in their nowโfamiliar form.
Mujina is the creature that transforms into the famous yokai known as Nopperabo, on which the rakugo story Nopperabo is based. In that sense, this rakugo piece would not have been born without Hearnโs influence.
Hearn himself- a Greeceโborn British citizen- married a Japanese woman named Setsu and became a naturalised Japanese citizen. Before that, he had been married to an African American woman during his time in the United States, despite interracial marriage being illegal at the time. He was a true revolutionary, someone who recognised the hypocrisy of the system and chose to follow his heart.
If youโd like to know more about Nopperabo, I also have a video of my rakugo performance.
๐ Super exciting news for rakugo and anime lovers! The acclaimed rakugo manga Akane-banashi is officially getting an anime adaptation in 2026!
If youโve already read the manga, you know how brilliantly it captures the dynamic spirit and deep traditions of rakugo- bringing this storytelling art to audiences who may be discovering it for the first time.
What makes Akane-banashi even more special is its amazing protagonist: Akane Osaki. In a genre (shonen manga) often dominated by male leads, this Shonen Jump series stands out with a strong, determined young woman at its heart- and this alone is worth celebrating!
Created by writer Yuki Suenaga and illustrator Takamasa Moue, the story follows Akane, a girl mesmerised by her fatherโs rakugo performances. She spends countless hours imitating his stories, secretly watching his training sessions. But when her father is abruptly expelled from the rakugo association and forced to stop performing, Akane sets out to uncover the truth behind his dismissal. Guided by her fatherโs former master, she begins her own journey to become a rakugo performer.
While Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju helped introduce rakugo to international audiences through its poignant (and sometimes super depressing…) storytelling, I believe Akane-banashi has the potential to reach even further.
Since its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2022, Akane-banashi has been a standout hit, earning nominations for both the 16th Manga Taisho Award and the 47th Kodansha Manga Award.
This is one anime adaptation you wonโt want to miss!
As we mark the 80th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, An Ordinary Lifeโ a video installation created by Fiona Amundsen and me for Christchurch Art Galleryโis currently on display at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art.
The work reflects real and imagined conversations with my late grandfather, an eyewitness of the destruction of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. We used rakugo as our medium of storytelling, incorporating zanshin, a concept from aikido, which Fiona practices (2nd dan black belt).
The exhibition runs until 15 September. If you happen to be in the area, please visit and take a moment to reflect on the importance of peace.
The world we live in, I believe, is not the kind of world those who departed in WWII envisioned. It feels overwhelming to try to change the entire worldโbut I can change myself, and perhaps a few people around me.
Am I walking a path of peace?
I want to become a more peaceful person, so I wonโt disappoint my grandpa when I see him again in the next worldโif such a place exists.
* Photos were kindly provided by my rakugo master, Kanariya Eiraku, who visited the museum during his recent trip to Hiroshima.
Iโm thrilled to share some exciting news about an upcoming event that celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures in our vibrant cityโ”World of Cultures”!
I will be doing a rakugo performance/ workshop at the event, but there will also be a taiko performance and an origami workshop on the day!
Join me on Saturday, 5 April 2025, at Epsom Library for a day filled with the enchanting traditions of Japan. I am still not sure about the exact timing of the rakugo performance/ workshop, but I will post it here and my SNS once confirmed.
You can find more information on Our Auckland ๐
Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you and your family peace, happiness, and good fortune!
To celebrate this special occasion, I have decided to write a beginner’s guide to rakugo. It is based on an introduction video that I made for YouTube, but I thought a note that accompanies it would be good addition for you to deepen your understanding of rakugo ๐ So…
Have you ever stumbled upon this storytelling tradition that’s both ancient and strikingly modern? Enter the world of rakugo, the Japanese traditional art of comic storytelling that blends storytelling with theatrical flair. It’s more than just comedy; it’s a window into Japanese culture and a testament to the power of narrative (I dare say!). Hopefully, this guide will introduce you to the unique and exciting world of rakugo!
What Exactly is Rakugo?
At its heart, rakugo is a 400-year-old Japanese tradition of comic storytelling. While you might initially think that it might be like stand-up comedy performed sitting down, but it is actually quite different. It’s a form of narrative performance where the goal is to engage and captivate the audience, not just make them laugh. Rakugo stories can be incredibly diverse, ranging from lighthearted ghost stories and tragedies to fantastical tales, erotica, and even science fiction. I personally see it like a sitcom or an old-time radio show, delivered by a single storyteller.
Key Elements that Make Rakugo Unique
Traditional Meets Contemporary: Rakugo is both traditional and contemporary. Performers almost always wear kimono, honoring the traditions of the past, but the stories themselves can explore themes of the present and even the future.
Minimalist Staging: In the Tokyo (Edo) style of rakugo, performers use only two props: a fan and a tenugui (traditional Japanese towel). The fan, also known as ‘kaze’ (literally means ‘wind’) in rakugo circles, can be used to create sound effects or symbolise various objects like a calligraphy pen or chopsticks. The tenugui, also referred to as ‘mandala’, is a highly versatile prop that can represent anything from a book to a wallet or even a smartphone!
The Art of the Single Performer
Rakugo is performed by a single storyteller who takes on all the characters within the narrative. Very subtle head movements and shifts in gaze are used to differentiate between each character. The performerโs direction of gaze also indicates social status and whether they are indoors or outdoors.
Characters with higher social status are indicated by the performer looking stage right, while those of lower status are indicated by looking stage left.
Characters inside a building are indicated by the performer facing stage right while those outside always face towards stage left regardless of the character’s social status.
The Historical Roots of Rakugo
The origin of Rakugo is often traced back to Seigan Temple (่ช้กๅฏบ) in Kyoto. It’s said that a monk named Anrakuan Sakuden (1554-1642) began incorporating characters and anecdotes into his Buddhist sermons to keep his students engaged. His approach was a means of enlivening what might otherwise be considered dry religious teachings. He compiled a book called Seisuishou (้้ ็ฌ) in 1623, marking a significant milestone in the history of rakugo.
Rakugo further developed in two major Japanese cities with regional differences:
Osaka/ Kyoto: Rakugo initially evolved as a lively street performance, incorporating music and sound effects.
Edo (Tokyo): In Tokyo, rakugo became more of a theatrical performance, focusing on the art of storytelling with minimal props.
Why Should You Experience Rakugo?
Rakugo is a unique experience, far removed from the typical Western theatrical fare. Itโs not just a performance; it’s a cultural memory that blends storytelling, minimalist performance, and a connection to Japan’s history. Whether youโre seeking a different kind of comedy or an enriching cultural experience, rakugo offers a journey into a world that is both familiar and wonderfully unique… and sometimes VERY quirky!
If you prefer just watching the video… (maybe I should’ve put the video above, but hey I wanted you to read the article!)
English Rakugo NZ 