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Rakugo on "itai-itai" disease doctor

Rakugo storyteller Yanagiya Sansho, a native of Toyama, performs rakugo in the central Japan city on April 5, 2025. He told of the life of late doctor Noboru Hagino (1915-1990), who devoted himself to treating patients of "itai-itai" disease, caused by cadmium poisoning in Toyama following the discharge of untreated water into rivers by a mining company in a neighboring prefecture.

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Rakugo on "itai-itai" disease doctor

Rakugo storyteller Yanagiya Sansho, a native of Toyama, performs rakugo in the central Japan city on April 5, 2025. He told of the life of late doctor Noboru Hagino (1915-1990), who devoted himself to treating patients of "itai-itai" disease, caused by cadmium poisoning in Toyama following the discharge of untreated water into rivers by a mining company in a neighboring prefecture.

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All-English rakugo performance opens at Broadway theater

NEW YORK, United States - Katsura Kaishi performs ''rakugo'' comic storytelling in English at the Sage Theater on Seventh Avenue between 47th and 48th streets in New York on Sept. 7. It is apparently the first time that such a performance has been seen on Broadway, event organizers said.

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All-English rakugo performance opens at Broadway theater

NEW YORK, United States - Katsura Kaishi performs ''rakugo'' comic storytelling in English at the Sage Theater on Seventh Avenue between 47th and 48th streets in New York on Sept. 7. It is apparently the first time that such a performance has been seen on Broadway, event organizers said.

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Woman publishes free tabloid on comic storytelling

OSAKA, Japan - Mie Hidaka, publisher of a free tabloid on "rakugo" Japanese comic storytelling in Osaka, western Japan, and its vicinity, shows off a copy as seen in this file photo taken on Dec. 18, 2014. Hidaka and her colleagues published the 100th issue in the month.

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'Rakugo' comic storyteller wins Japan Foundation Award

TOKYO, Japan - Sankyo Yanagiya, a "rakugo" Japanese comic storyteller, is shown in this file photo taken on Oct. 30, 2014. He was selected as one of three recipients of the 2014 Japan Foundation Awards for his contribution to teaching rakugo to foreign students of the Japanese language for almost 15 years.

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Humanoid robot of master 'rakugo' storyteller on show

OSAKA, Japan - An android made to look like Katsura Beicho, a legendary Japanese "rakugo" comic storyteller, is on display at the Takashimaya department store in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 5, 2014.

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Android of master comic storyteller 'talks' to shoppers

OSAKA, Japan - An android made to look like Katsura Beicho, a legendary Japanese "rakugo" comic storyteller, "talks" to customers at the Takashimaya department store in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 5, 2014.

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Scientist explains android of master comic storyteller

OSAKA, Japan - Osaka University professor Hiroshi Ishiguro (R), the developer of an android that looks like legendary Japanese "rakugo" comic storyteller Katsura Beicho, speaks about the robot at the Takashimaya department store in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 5, 2014.

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'Rakugo' comic storyteller speaks at famed resort

MATSUYAMA, Japan - Popular "rakugo" comic storyteller Katsura Bunshi presents one of his original tales at Dogo Onsen Honkan, an old wooden public bathhouse, on Oct. 24, 2014, in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the renovation of the bathhouse dating back to 1894.

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'Rakugo' comic storyteller speaks on famed spa resort

MATSUYAMA, Japan - Popular "Rakugo" comic storyteller Katsura Bunshi performs his original tale titled "Let's go to Dogo Onsen," one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on Oct. 24, 2014, to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the renovation of the Dogo Onsen Honkan wooden public bathhouse dating back to 1894.

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New theater to open for junior comic storytellers

TOKYO, Japan - Master "rakugo" comic storyteller Kokontei Shinsuke (C) holds a banner for his soon-to-be opened "Kanda Renjakutei" theater in Tokyo with "futatsume," or junior rakugo tellers, on Oct. 1, 2014, to give them more opportunities to perform before spectators.

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'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.

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'Rakugo' comic storytelling in Thai

BANGKOK, Thailand - Japanese "rakugo" comic storyteller Katsura Takemaru performs in both the Thai and Japanese languages at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on Sept. 4, 2014.

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Famed 'rakugo' artist unveils birthday performance plan

OSAKA, Japan - Katsura Bunshi, a renowned performer of rakugo or sit-down comic storytelling, unveils a plan at a press conference in Osaka, western Japan, on June 12, 2014, on a performance timed with his 71st birthday, July 16.

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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.

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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.

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Rakugo artist Katsura Bunshi

TOKYO, Japan - Rakugo artist Katsura Bunshi holds a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 29, 2012. The 69-year-old artist, formerly known as Katsura Sanshi, will give performances of comic storytelling in Paris on Dec. 7 and 8 as part of ongoing shows marking his succession to the name of his late master.

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Rakugo artist Katsura Bunshi

TOKYO, Japan - Rakugo artist Katsura Bunshi is pictured at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Nov. 29, 2012. The 69-year-old artist, formerly known as Katsura Sanshi, will give performances of comic storytelling in Paris on Dec. 7 and 8 as part of ongoing shows marking his succession to the name of his late master.

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Rakugo artist Sanshi succeeds late master's name

OSAKA, Japan - The sixth Katsura Bunshi gives a "Rakugo" comic storytelling performance at an Osaka theater on July 16, 2012. Formerly known as Katsura Sanshi, he succeeded the same day his late master's name to become the sixth-generation holder of the name Katsura Bunshi.

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British 'rakugo' performer Diane Kichijitsu

OSAKA, Japan - British performer Diane Kichijitsu, whose real name is Diane Orrett, gives a ''rakugo'' comic storytelling performance in the city of Osaka on Oct. 15, 2011.

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Rakugo storyteller Danshi dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in March 2010 shows Tatekawa Danshi, Japan's top ''rakugo'' comic storyteller, making a speech during a party at a Tokyo hotel. Danshi died Nov. 21 of larynx cancer aged 75, his management office said Nov. 23.

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'Rakugo' storyteller Hayashiya Sampei, actress Kokubu to marry

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Japanese ''rakugo'' storyteller Hayashiya Sampei. The 40-year-old comedian will marry actress Sachiko Kokubu, their agencies said Jan. 22, 2011.

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'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.

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'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.

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'Rakugo' storyteller Hayashiya Sampei in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China - Japanese ''rakugo'' storyteller Hayashiya Sampei performs in Shanghai on Nov. 20, 2010.

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Kosanji elected new 'rakugo' association chief

TOKYO, Japan - Yanagiya Kosanji (L), a master of the Japanese traditional comic storytelling art of ''rakugo,'' shakes hands with Reireisha Bafu after being elected to succeed him as head of the Rakugo Kyokai association in Tokyo on June 25, 2010.

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Legendary 'rakugo' family mementos draw fans to Tokyo shop

TOKYO, Japan - Yasuji Ogawa poses for a photo at his shop ''Tamaru'' in Tokyo's downtown Yanaka district on April 21, 2010. The shop, dedicated to the legendary rakugo storyteller Kokontei Shinsho V and his sons Kingentei Basho and Kokontei Shincho, is packed with rare mementos of the family.

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Japanese 'rakugo' story teller performs at U.N.

NEW YORK, United States - Japanese comic 'rakugo' storyteller Katsura Koharudanji gives a performance at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Feb. 19, 2010. The stories presented in the Japanese language were subtitled in English, French, Spanish and Chinese. His performance at the U.N. headquarters commemorated the 10th anniversary of his overseas performances.

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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.

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Japan storyteller entertains Cambodia students

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - ''Rakugo'' storyteller Katsura Utamaru performs a popular eel restaurant story, ''Shirouto Unagi,'' in Phnom Penh on Nov. 25, 2009. About 400 people including students learning Japanese listened to the comic monologue with English and Cambodian subtitles available, as part of a series of events for Japan-Mekong exchange year.

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Blind 'rakugo' storyteller makes debut in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Fukuten Katsura, a 41-year-old blind performer of ''rakugo'' -- a traditional Japanese art of humorous story-telling -- makes his debut performance before an audience of more than 200 at a theater in Osaka on Nov. 16, 2009.

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Rakugo comedian Sanyutei Enraku dies at 76

TOKYO, Japan - This file photo taken in November 2007 is a portrait of ''Rakugo'' comedian Sanyutei Enraku, who died on Oct. 30 of lung cancer at 76. Enraku, whose real name was Hiroumi Yoshikawa, gained public popularity as a key member of the long-running TV comedy show ''Shoten'' and pioneered a boom of appearances by traditional rakugo performers on TV variety shows.

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Rakugo comedian Sanyutei Enraku dies at 76

TOKYO, Japan - In this photo taken at Tokyo's National Engei Hall in February 2007, ''Rakugo'' comedian Sanyutei Enraku, who died on Oct. 30 of lung cancer at 76, gives his last rakugo performance, in which a lone storyteller relates a comic tale while seated. Known for his flowing storytelling, Entraku, whose real name was Hiroumi Yoshikawa, gained public popularity as a key member of the long-running TV comedy show ''Shoten.''

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Magazine on 'rakugo' comic storytelling marks 35th anniversary

TOKYO, Japan - Tomomi Sato (L), editor-in-chief of a monthly magazine devoted to ''rakugo,'' ''kodan'' and ''naniwabushi,'' and Kazuaki Inoue, Tokyo Kawaraban's first editor-in-chief and now publisher, are pictured in this photo taken Jan. 28 in their office in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.

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FEATURE: Sit-down comedian knocks New Yorkers off their feet

NEW YORK, United States - Katsura Kaishi, a traditional ''rakugo'' (comic storytelling) performer from Osaka, speaks before reporters after finishing an English-language rakugo performance at Merkin Concert Hall in New York on Sept. 17.

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Reireisha Bafu

Reireisha Bafu, comic storyteller, chairman of Rakugo association (photo taken on Oct. 31, 2007)

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'Rakugo' comic storyteller ordered to pay penalty, back taxes

TOKYO, Japan - ''Rakugo'' comic storyteller Hayashiya Shozo speaks with reporters in Tokyo on April 16 after being ordered by the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau to pay about 40 million yen in penalty and back taxes. The bureau said Hayashiya failed to declare around 120 million yen in income for the three years through 2005.

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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.

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Rakugo storyteller Katsura Bunshi dies at 74

OSAKA, Japan - Popular rakugo storyteller Katsura Bunshi, who is seen playing rakugo in this file photo taken on October 2002, died of lung cancer at a hospital in Iga, Mie Prefecture, on March 12. He was 74.

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Rakugo storyteller Katsura Bunji dies at 80

TOKYO, Japan - Popular rakugo storyteller Katsura Bunji (in photo taken in October 2001) died of kidney failure caused by acute leukemia at a Tokyo hospital on Jan. 31, his family said. He was 80. Bunji, whose real name was Tatsuo Sekiguchi, was known for his crisp and well-mannered style of delivering his stories, which conveyed the traditions of the Edo Period (1603-1867).

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Rakugo storyteller Ryusho dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - Popular rakugo storyteller Shumputei Ryusho died of stomach cancer June 16 at a Tokyo hospital. He was 82. Ryusho, whose real name was Yasuo Akimoto, was known for creating about 100 new comic rakugo stories and appearing in movies. Ryusho's hobby was playing the trombone.

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(1)'Mt. Head' wins top award at Annecy film festival

PARIS, France - File photo shows Koji Yamamura, who won the top Crystal prize in the short film category for his work ''Mt. Head,'' a 10-minute animated movie based on a traditional Japanese Rakugo (comic storytelling) story, at the 27th International Animated Film Festival in Annecy, France. The movie is the first Japanese short movie to be awarded the Crystal prize at the film festival, which closed on June 7.

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Noted rakugo artist Kokontei Shincho dies at 63

TOKYO, Japan - Kokontei Shincho, a master of traditional Japanese rakugo comic storytelling, is seen in this photo taken in November 1993. He died Oct. 1 of liver cancer at his home in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. He was 63.

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Amateur rakugo championship in Japan

Totaro Kojiya wins the national amateur rakugo storytelling championship in the Osaka Prefecture city of Ikeda, western Japan, on Dec. 12, 2021.

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Amateur rakugo championship in Japan

Totaro Kojiya wins the national amateur rakugo storytelling championship in the Osaka Prefecture city of Ikeda, western Japan, on Dec. 12, 2021.

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Rakugo storyteller Katsura Bunshi dies at 74

OSAKA, Japan - Popular rakugo storyteller Katsura Bunshi, who is seen playing rakugo in this file photo taken on October 2002, died of lung cancer at a hospital in Iga, Mie Prefecture, on March 12. He was 74. (Kyodo)

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Rakugo storyteller Ryusho dies at 82

TOKYO, Japan - Popular rakugo storyteller Shumputei Ryusho died of stomach cancer June 16 at a Tokyo hospital. He was 82. Ryusho, whose real name was Yasuo Akimoto, was known for creating about 100 new comic rakugo stories and appearing in movies. Ryusho's hobby was playing the trombone. (Kyodo)

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Noted rakugo artist Kokontei Shincho dies at 63

TOKYO, Japan - Kokontei Shincho, a master of traditional Japanese rakugo comic storytelling, is seen in this photo taken in November 1993. He died Oct. 1 of liver cancer at his home in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. He was 63.

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Popular rakugo show host earns minister's award

"Rakugo," or Japanese sit-down comedy, performer Utamaru Katsura (R) receives an award from Hiroshi Hase, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, in Tokyo on May 31, 2016, for hosting a popular TV rakugo show, Shoten, for about 10 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo