Rakugo

Rakugo, literally, telling a story “in a single drop,” is the traditional Japanese art of comic story-telling. Rakugo’s roots are in Japan’s 16th century, when nobles, samurai, merchants, and commoners gathered in halls to enjoy the humorous tales. Rakugo uses only a couple of props, a fan and small towel. The performer uses facial expressions and different voices, along with sly puns, dialects, and mannerisms to explore the humor in everyday life.

Rakugo stories feature ochi, an unexpected twist or “punchline” that add to their charm. Kaishi Katsura, appointed by the Japanese Ministry of Culture as a Cultural Ambassador, presents a unique, English-language version of rakugo, as the featured presentation of the 2008 Japanese Festival.

Saturday, 5 p.m.
Sunday, 4 p.m.
Monday at 12 p.m.
Shoenberg Theater