'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese ''rakugo'' storyteller Shofukutei Kakusho (R) poses with Fumikazu Nishitani, who heads an organization to support Iraqi children, during a press conference in Osaka on Nov. 29, 2010. The sit-down comedian said he will perform traditional Japanese comedic routines for children in northern Iraq in the hopes of bringing them laughter.

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese ''rakugo'' storyteller Shofukutei Kakusho speaks during a news conference in Osaka on Nov. 29, 2010. The sit-down comedian said he will perform traditional Japanese comedic routines for children in northern Iraq in the hopes of bringing them laughter.

Shofukutei Shohei

Shofukutei Shohei

Shofukutei Shohei, comic storyteller (photo taken on Sept. 6, 2000)

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese ''rakugo'' storyteller Shofukutei Kakusho (R) poses with Fumikazu Nishitani, who heads an organization to support Iraqi children, during a press conference in Osaka on Nov. 29, 2010. The sit-down comedian said he will perform traditional Japanese comedic routines for children in northern Iraq in the hopes of bringing them laughter. (Kyodo)

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

'Rakugo' storyteller to entertain Iraqi children

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese ''rakugo'' storyteller Shofukutei Kakusho speaks during a news conference in Osaka on Nov. 29, 2010. The sit-down comedian said he will perform traditional Japanese comedic routines for children in northern Iraq in the hopes of bringing them laughter. (Kyodo)