RAKUGO - Japanese Sit Down Comedy (English)

The Consulate-General of Japan at Chennai, the Japan Foundation in association with ABK-AOTS Dosokai, Tamil Nadu Centre are organizing “RAKUGO” Japanese Sit Down Comedy (in English) played by Mr. Utazo Katsuta at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday November 19, 2011 at Nagaaki Yamamoto-Seminar Hall (ABK-AOTS Dosokai, Tamilnadu Centre, 3rd Floor, Chateau D’ Ampa, 37 (110) Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai, Chennai 600 029).

Rakugo is Japan’s humorous approach to fundamental human experiences. It can be best described as Japanese sit-down comedy story telling. Just as there is stand-up comedy in Western countries, there is sit down comedy in Japan, where the performer sits on his knees on a cushion in the middle of the stage and tries to capture the audience imagination with facial expressions and funny stories. The performer is usually equipped with a fan (Sensu) and hand towel (Tenugui) which helps the performer to express and act out the story. In Rakugo, one performer plays the role of each distinct character portraying himself by changing his voice, facial expression, mannerisms, speech etc, and the audience is free to imagine the characters and background. There are 300 popular stories which are still performed as classic Rakugo.

Utazo Katsura, Rakugo Master, born in 1964 is a Member of Rakugo Artist Association. He took his apprenticeship under Rakugo Master Utamaru Katsura in late 1991. In 1996, he took the name Utazo Katsura when he was promoted to 2nd rank of Rakugo artists. He rose to the highest Rakugo Master rank in 2005. Since then, he has been actively appearing at various venues in Tokyo, enthralling the Japanese audience as well as the foreign audience in Thailand, U.S.A., Brazil and now in India. He has been enthusiastically sharing the fun world of Rakugo.

Mr. Masanori Nakano, Consul-General of Japan at Chennai will preside over the programme. Which is also one part of an expression of Japanese society and culture.

Event Photos