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SINGAPORE: There is a joke in Japan that goes like this: How do you get a Japanese guy to laugh on Monday? You tell him a joke the previous Friday.
While the Japanese are usually described as polite, good-tempered, and are rarely without a smile on their face, they wouldn't be associated with adjectives such as humourous or jocular. More often, the image of a strict disciplinarian comes to mind.
But all that was before I came across Rakugo, the Japanese version of a stand-up comedy, ironically performed sitting down.
Rakugo is a traditional art that can be traced back to more than 400 years and still enjoys tremendous popularity in Japan today. Traditionally performed in Japanese, it is unknown to most countries outside Japan.
However, in recent years, a few rakugokas, or Rakugo storytellers, decided to spread the laughter by translating the form for English-speaking audiences and taking this timeless comedy performance around the world.
Katsura Kaishi, who was in Singapore for a one-night-only performance at the Jubilee Hall last month, is one such rakugoka.
"We decided to bring Rakugo to Singapore because we felt that most people do not know much about the performance," said Machiko Yamamura, a researcher at the Embassy of Japan, a co-organiser of the event.
But isn't performing Rakugo in English equivalent to eating sushi with chilli instead of wasabi?
"My main job is to perform Rakugo in Japanese and it is actually unusual for me to perform in English but it is my pleasure to perform Rakugo in English so that more people will understand Rakugo and realise that [the] Japanese are actually funny people," said Katsura, who has been performing Rakugo since 1995.
Unlike stand-up comedians who are free to roam around the stage during their act, rakugokas have to adhere to pretty strict physical requirements.
Kneeling on a cushion on a stage called a koza throughout their act, storytellers are not allowed to use their legs, and are only equipped with two props - a Japanese fan and a hand towel.
"You must use your imagination when you are watching Rakugo," Katsura told the full-house audience as he demonstrated how a fan can be used as a pair of chopsticks, calligraphy pen and even a pair of scissors.
"To understand Rakugo, you must be a smart person," said Mr Katsura, which brought a round of laughter from the audience. He then followed up, "All of you are very smart."
Being a one-man show, Katsura has to play multiple characters during his performance. He switches seamlessly from drunkard to merchant, farmer to rickshaw rider and even a geisha, by changing his voice, facial expressions, and mannerisms, of course, with the help of his two handy props.
Rakugo started about 400 years ago in the Edo period and was traditionally used by monks to carry out their teachings. Over time, theatres called Yose were built specially for Rakugo. Along with Kabuki and Bunraku puppet theatre, Rakugo soon became one of Japan’s most popular entertainments for the people.
Despite its long history, Rakugo has managed to stay relevant as the stories are constantly 'updated' to stay connected with today's societal trends.
"The sense of humour has changed along with time. The fundamentals [the stage and accessories] remained but the stories have changed. The stories have to match what they [the audience] need. There are a lot of Rakugo stories but to match these needs, some are either told frequently or not being used at all," explained Katsura.
Falling for Rakugo
It was a case of love at first sight for the then 23-year-old Katsura.
"I was a university student and I had a chance to watch Rakugo in Japan. It was my first time watching a live Rakugo performance and I was shocked to see the performer playing all the characters," he told channelnewsasia.com.
To highlight the difficulty of Rakugo, the veteran performer used a Broadway musical as an example, "To produce a show in Broadway, different roles such as directors, scriptwriters or actors are required. In Rakugo, the storyteller has to be the director, scriptwriter and actor."
And it was this challenging aspect that spurred him to become a Rakugo performer.
Like all rakugokas, Katsura had to serve as an apprentice to a master for three years.
"It is compulsory for anyone who wants to be a Rakugo performer. I have to live with the master and obey all his instructions. It was three years without freedom," Katsura said as he shared his life as an apprentice.
During those years, the apprentice is required to take care of his master's daily needs and the first lesson of Rakugo 101 is to imitate the master's gestures so as to pick up the fine details of portraying each character.
After three years, the master will decide if the apprentice has what it takes to be a professional rakugoka.
Ever since Katsura was given the go-ahead by his master, the 40-year-old has worked his way up to become one of Japan's most well-loved Rakugo performers. Today, he has travelled to more than 60 countries and performed over 300 shows and he loves every moment of it despite its challenges.
"It is not difficult as I enjoy practicing and performing Rakugo," said the funnyman. - CNA
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