Rakugo sit down theatre
Task 1: Info from the video:
This theatre art form was born 400 years ago to spread a message to the people
A fan and handkerchief are the only two items needed to perform Rakugo
Performed sitting down
A lone storyteller (rakugoka) sits on the stage, called the kōza, and using only a paper fan and a hand towel as props, recounts, without rising from his seat, a long and complicated comical story.
The story is narrated as a conversation among two or more characters.
The performer switches from one character to another, changing his voice, facial expression, mannerisms, and accent to fit the person who is speaking.
The monologue typically lasts for 30 minutes and ends with a surprise punch line, a narrative stunt known as ochi (fall) or sage (lowering).
Task 2: Explain origins in our own words (audio recording transcript)
It is a form of Japanese verbal entertainment. It became a form of popular entertainment during 1603-1867, when it was often performed in vaudeville-type urban thatres called yose. It was originally known as Karukuchi, the oldest appearance of the kanji which refers specifically to this type of performance dates to 1787, but at the time the caracters themsleves were read as otoshibanashi (falling dsicourse). The expression rakugo was first used during 1867-1912 and came to common usage during 1926-1989.
Humorous Japanese narratives can be found in the story collection Uji Shui Monogatari (1213-1318), these humorous stories gradually came to be narrated as monologues. The earliest rakugokas (comic storytellers) recreated the allegorical stories used in Buddhist sermons to educate common people about spiritual principles. At first, they entertained passersby in the streets, and later they performed for feudal lords at celebrations and gatherings.
During the Edo period (1603–1867), a large and wealthy urban merchant class (chonin) emerged in Japan, creating a demand for popular entertainment among the lower classes. Rakugo was showcased in vaudeville-type urban theatres (called yose), along with other entertainments. Many groups of performers were formed, and collections of texts were finally printed. During the seventeenth century, the actors were known as hanashika (“storyteller”), corresponding to the modern term, rakugoka(“person of the falling word”). The forerunner of modern rakugo was kobanashi: Short comical vignettes ending with an ochi, popular between the seventeenth and the nineteenth century. These were enacted in small public venues, or in the streets, and printed and sold as pamphlets.
The origin of kobanashi is to be found in the Kinō wa kyō no monogatari (Yesterday Stories Told Today, c. 1620), the work of an unknown author collecting approximately 230 stories describing the middle class. The presentation and style of rakugo performance has changed very little since the late 18th century. Many of the stories are drawn from the urban life of the Edo period.
Task 4: Research use of props - explain/present
Rakugoka uses traditional props like fans, chopsticks and tenugui towels (handkerchief) to help them act out their stories, but keep their bodies within the boundaries of the cushion. In Rakugo there are only two props used, which are a Japanese fan and a hand cloth, both of which are used in multiple ways as props in different settings. The props were used as a variety of objects, the fan could be made into a sword, whilst the handkerchief could be used as a scarf, etc.
This theatre art form was born 400 years ago to spread a message to the peopleA fan and handkerchief are the only two items needed to perform Rakugo
Performed sitting down
A lone storyteller (rakugoka) sits on the stage, called the kōza, and using only a paper fan and a hand towel as props, recounts, without rising from his seat, a long and complicated comical story.
The story is narrated as a conversation among two or more characters.
The performer switches from one character to another, changing his voice, facial expression, mannerisms, and accent to fit the person who is speaking.
The monologue typically lasts for 30 minutes and ends with a surprise punch line, a narrative stunt known as ochi (fall) or sage (lowering).
Task 2: Explain origins in our own words (audio recording transcript)
It is a form of Japanese verbal entertainment. It became a form of popular entertainment during 1603-1867, when it was often performed in vaudeville-type urban thatres called yose. It was originally known as Karukuchi, the oldest appearance of the kanji which refers specifically to this type of performance dates to 1787, but at the time the caracters themsleves were read as otoshibanashi (falling dsicourse). The expression rakugo was first used during 1867-1912 and came to common usage during 1926-1989.
Humorous Japanese narratives can be found in the story collection Uji Shui Monogatari (1213-1318), these humorous stories gradually came to be narrated as monologues. The earliest rakugokas (comic storytellers) recreated the allegorical stories used in Buddhist sermons to educate common people about spiritual principles. At first, they entertained passersby in the streets, and later they performed for feudal lords at celebrations and gatherings.
During the Edo period (1603–1867), a large and wealthy urban merchant class (chonin) emerged in Japan, creating a demand for popular entertainment among the lower classes. Rakugo was showcased in vaudeville-type urban theatres (called yose), along with other entertainments. Many groups of performers were formed, and collections of texts were finally printed. During the seventeenth century, the actors were known as hanashika (“storyteller”), corresponding to the modern term, rakugoka(“person of the falling word”). The forerunner of modern rakugo was kobanashi: Short comical vignettes ending with an ochi, popular between the seventeenth and the nineteenth century. These were enacted in small public venues, or in the streets, and printed and sold as pamphlets.
The origin of kobanashi is to be found in the Kinō wa kyō no monogatari (Yesterday Stories Told Today, c. 1620), the work of an unknown author collecting approximately 230 stories describing the middle class. The presentation and style of rakugo performance has changed very little since the late 18th century. Many of the stories are drawn from the urban life of the Edo period.
Task 3: Perform short script in Rakugo style
Task 4: Research use of props - explain/present
Rakugoka uses traditional props like fans, chopsticks and tenugui towels (handkerchief) to help them act out their stories, but keep their bodies within the boundaries of the cushion. In Rakugo there are only two props used, which are a Japanese fan and a hand cloth, both of which are used in multiple ways as props in different settings. The props were used as a variety of objects, the fan could be made into a sword, whilst the handkerchief could be used as a scarf, etc.
This is excellent Grace; you have demonstrated research, note taking, and covered the key aspects of this genre that you will find very useful if you do indeed choose it for your research presentation. It is commendable that you have included relevant images to enhance the information from class and also the short video clip of you attempting this yourself. Fantastic.
ReplyDeletei love your research and analysis!quick question,are you supposed to be changing positions during performance?
ReplyDelete