'Rakugo' legend Hikohachi festival held in Osaka

'Rakugo' legend Hikohachi festival held in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - A festival dedicated to Yonezawa Hikohachi, the founding father of "kamigata rakugo" comic story telling in the Osaka and Kyoto regions, is under way at Ikukunitama Shrine in Osaka on Sept. 6, 2014, to mark the 300th anniversary of his death. Performing at the center is well-known rakugo storyteller Katsura Yonedanji.

Katsura Bunshi wraps up name succession performances

Katsura Bunshi wraps up name succession performances

OSAKA, Japan - Seventeen leading ''rakugo'' storytellers from across Japan gather on stage to offer well-wishing speeches for Katsura Bunshi, seen in the center bowing his head in gratitude. The event in Osaka, western Japan, marks the grand finale of a series of performances marking Bunshi's succession to the name of his renowned master in "kamigata rakugo" in July 2012 to become its sixth-generation holder.

Katsura Bunshi wraps up name succession performances

Katsura Bunshi wraps up name succession performances

OSAKA, Japan - Popular "rakugo" storyteller Katsura Bunshi greets the audience on March 8, 2014, in Osaka, western Japan, during the grand finale of a series of performances marking his succession to the name of his renowned master in "kamigata rakugo" in July 2012. He is the sixth-generation name holder.

Japanese storyteller to perform at U.N.

Japanese storyteller to perform at U.N.

OSAKA, Japan - ''Rakugo'' comic storyteller Katsura Koharudanji poses during a news conference on Dec. 2, 2009, where he told reporters he will be performing at the United Nations Headquarters and Carnegie Hall in New York in February 2010. The internationally active performer of Japanese comic monologue in the ''kamigata'' style with instruments said he will be performing two classic rakugo stories at the U.N. with French, Spanish and Chinese subtitles.

Permanent 'rakugo' theater opens in Osaka, 1st since WWII

Permanent 'rakugo' theater opens in Osaka, 1st since WWII

OSAKA, Japan - Rakugo performer Katsura Sanshi, head of the Kamigata Rakugo Kyokai, pulls a rickshaw carrying Katsura Harudanji III during a ceremony held to mark the opening of the Temma Tenjin Hanjo Tei, a theater dedicated to ''rakugo'' comic storytelling, in Osaka's Kita Ward on Sept. 15. It is the first permanent rakugo theater to open in Osaka since World War II.

Permanent 'rakugo' theater opens in Osaka, 1st since WWII

Permanent 'rakugo' theater opens in Osaka, 1st since WWII

OSAKA, Japan - Rakugo performer Katsura Sanshi, head of the Kamigata Rakugo Kyokai, pulls a rickshaw carrying Katsura Harudanji III during a ceremony held to mark the opening of the Temma Tenjin Hanjo Tei, a theater dedicated to ''rakugo'' comic storytelling, in Osaka's Kita Ward on Sept. 15. It is the first permanent rakugo theater to open in Osaka since World War II. (Kyodo)

Japanese storyteller to perform at U.N.

Japanese storyteller to perform at U.N.

OSAKA, Japan - ''Rakugo'' comic storyteller Katsura Koharudanji poses during a news conference on Dec. 2, 2009, where he told reporters he will be performing at the United Nations Headquarters and Carnegie Hall in New York in February 2010. The internationally active performer of Japanese comic monologue in the ''kamigata'' style with instruments said he will be performing two classic rakugo stories at the U.N. with French, Spanish and Chinese subtitles. (Kyodo)