Rakugo comic storytellers and other performers held an annual event to thank their fans on Sept. 8 at Yushima Tenmangu, a well-known Shinto shrine in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo.
This year marked the fifth edition of the event, which was organized by Rakugokyokai, an association of rakugoka, or rakugo storytellers, as well as manzai comic storytellers, jugglers and other entertainers.
The three kanji characters used in the event title, "Sharakusai," mean "gratitude," "fun" and "festival," in that order, in keeping with the objective of thanking fans. "Sharakusai" also has the slang meaning of "stylish in a way that doesn't match the person." It's very fitting that an event held by comic artists should have a double meaning in the title.
About 13,000 people came to the event this year, so the shrine's premises were packed with fans, as if it was the New Year's holidays. About 150 entertainers took part, wearing matching yukata cotton kimono. They entertained fans with reasonably priced shows, sold food, drinks and merchandise at stalls, and demonstrated skills outside their professions, such as singing and dancing, on a specially built stage.
For example, association head Ryutei Ichiba is also a professional singer who has released CDs. He happily sang onstage again at this year's event.
Many rakugoka readily gave fans their autographs. Among them was Hayashiya Taihei, a regular on the popular TV show "Shoten" and the head of this year's Sharakusai organizing committee. There were other popular rakugoka as well, such as Yanagiya Karoku, Yanagiya Kyotaro and Hayashiya Hikoichi. Fans form a long line to get their autographs every year.
To entertain the people waiting in line, a group called Yoisho-tai (Yoisho team) was newly formed for this year's Sharakusai. The word "yoisho" can mean to court or flatter someone in every way possible, normally not in a good context. For example, "Buka ga joshi ni yoisho suru" means "A subordinate sucks up to a boss." For comedians, however, yoisho does not have a bad meaning at all.
The Yoisho-tai members talked with fans waiting in the autograph line, gave improvised performances, or stood in line for fans who needed a bathroom break.
I was particularly impressed by Okinaya Wasuke, a performer of daikagura acrobatic shows. He balanced a long stick with a bowl of water on top of it on the end of a yokobue flute, while playing the theme music from "Shoten," a tune most Japanese people would recognize. The feat earned him a round of applause.
It would be great, I thought, if theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland adopted this spirit of Yoisho-tai. To comedians, yoisho is probably a synonym for entertaining.
Two other major rakugo associations -- Rakugo Geijutsu Kyokai and Kamigatarakugo -- also hold annual events for fans similar to Sharakusai, the former in May and the latter in September. All these events have a handmade feel, like a school cultural festival, and eliminate the barrier between fans and entertainers.
-- Morishige covers traditional performing arts.
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