In cooperation with H-Lab Tokyo, international students were presented a unique opportunity to enjoy a live performance of Rakugo, the traditional Japanese storytelling art, in English. Shinoharu Tatekawa who studied under Rakugo master Tatekawa Shinosuke, completed his 8-years apprenticeship in 2011 and is now an independent Rakugo performer. 

Following a basic introduction of Rakugo, Shinuharu demonstrated how he plays various kinds of roles ranging from children to elderly adults, both male and female. He then performed some of the classic Rakugo stories “Tenshiki” and “The Liquor Gate”.

After the performance, there was a lively Q&A session about Rakugo and Shinoharu’s experience as one of the few English Rakugo performers.