(Japanese Translation below)

Rakugo is a Japanese form of storytelling by one person. It is a very old tradition and has been popular for over 400 years. Rakugo topics are amusing stories about common people’s daily lives. It consists of an introduction and a main body. At the end there is always an ochi, or punch-line. They are funny and emotional stories.

The storytellers are called Rakugoka, and they wear a kimono and are seated on a floor cushion on a stage. The Rakugoka play the role of various characters by themselves. To perform each character skillfully, they change their voice and turn their head to the left and right.

Rakugoka make use of a folding fan and a small cloth called tenugui. For example, the folding fan can be used as chopsticks and the tenugui can be used as a soup bowl. In this way the audience can imagine the stories. Rakugo can be enjoyed by adults and children from all countries. If you are interested in Rakugo, please go to a Rakugo theater or listen to a Rakugo CD.

The Sapporo Rakugo Festival was held from May 24 to May 26 at Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater Hitaru, Doshin Hall and Kyosai Hall. This festival was sponsored by TVH (TV Hokkaido) to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The general admission fee for adults was ￥4,500. The Festival consisted of twenty-eight Rakugoka performing their amusing stories. The festival was a great success due to the audience attendance.

落語 日本語訳

村上 明香

落語は日本人が一人で話を語るものです。それは伝統的で、４００年以上前から人気でした。落語は人々の日常を笑いで表現します。導入部と本文で成り立ち、最後にいつもオチがつきます。落語は滑稽な話と人情話があります。

語り手は落語家と呼ばれ彼らは着物を着て、舞台の座布団に座ります。彼らは自分たちで様々な役を演じます。役を上手に演じる為に、彼らは声色を変える・頭を左右に動かすなどと技術を磨きます。落語家は扇子と手ぬぐいを使用します。例えば扇子はお箸・手ぬぐいは器を表現します。

このように観客は話を想像します。落語は世界中の大人や子供たちを楽しませてくれます。もしあなたがそれに興味を持ったら、寄席に行ってみる・落語のCDを聞いてみてください。

札幌落語祭りが５月２４日～２６日に札幌文化芸術劇場hitaruと道新ホールと共済ホールで開催されました。この落語祭りは北海道テレビ開局30周年を記念して開催されたものです。一般料金は4,500円です。28人の落語家が出演し、それぞれお話しをしました。お祭りは多くのお客さんが来てくれたおかげで大成功しました。

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