On This Episode of Japan Station
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re joined by master rakugo performer Shinoharu Tatekawa.
About Shinoharu Tatekawa
Shinoharu Tatekawa is a professional rakugo (traditional Japanese comedic storytelling) performer. He apprenticed under the well-known and highly respected rakugo master Shinosuke Tatekawa. In addition to performing rakugo in Japanese, Shinoharu also has extensive experience performing in English both in Japan and internationally. In April of 2020 Shinoharu was promoted to the shinuchi level, which is the top level a rakugo performer can achieve. Shinoharu likes cats, karaage, and kendama.
Topics Discussed
- Shinoharu Tatekawa’s promotion to the shinuchi rank
- What the three ranks of rakugo are
- How Shinoharu Tatekawa became interested in rakugo
- Shinoharu Tatekawa’s love of sumo and the famous sumo wrestler Chiyonofuji
- Why Shinoharu Tatekawa became interested in Japanese culture and history during college
- Why Shinoharu Tatekawa decided to study Chinese history during college
- Why rakugo masters are so strict on their apprentices
- How Japanese pronouns are useful storytelling device for rakugo performers
- A story about McDonald’s
- The first time Shinoharu Tatekawa performed for an audience
- How Shinoharu Tatekawa’s extensive time in the United States may have been a hindrance during his time as a rakugo apprentice
- And much more!
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Links, Videos, Etc.
For more information on Shinoharu Tatekawa you can visit his website. This is the best place to find information on his shows.
You can find videos of Shinoharu Tatekawa’s performances (both English and Japanese) on his YouTube channel.
Here is a video of one of Shinoharu Tatekawa’s English-language rakugo performances. This video is of the well-known rakugo story “Yabu-iri.”
The video below is of a performance of an original story (shinsaku) by Shinoharu Tatekawa. The story focuses on how some places, particularly schools, request that Shinoharu not say certain words/touch on certain topics–often to the point of these requests don’t even make sense. This story/video is mentioned during the interview. It is in Japanese.
You can find Shinoharu Tatekawa on Twitter.
Shinoharu Tatekawa’s English-language radio show/podcast is called Rakugo: Traditional Style Japanese Comedy and was produced by Tokyo FM. It can be found via the links below or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Rakugo: Traditional Style Japanese Comedy on Tokyo FM
- Rakugo: Tradition Style Japamese Comedy on Apple Podcasts
- Rakugo: Traditional Style Japanese Comedy on Google Podcasts
Shinoharu Tatekawa’s Japanese-language podcast is called Kyokkai Tōben (曲解答弁). Check it out via the links below.
Use the link below to purchase a ticket to Shinoharu Tatekawa’s live stream rakugo show on June 16th, 2020 (8:30 – 9:30 pm JST). This show will be live streamed from a theater in Shinjuku and it will be Shinoharu’s first live performance since being promoted to the shinuchi rank. Tickets cost 1,500 yen and the show will be live streamed on Vimeo.
To listen to the Japan Station episode featuring rakugo performer Showko Showfukutei, use the link below.
Use the link below to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan and learn about why so many Japanese people visit Hawaii.
- Why do Japanese people love Hawaii so much? | Ichimon Japan 17
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi’s music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.
Featured image: Courtesy of Shinoharu Tatekawa
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Full Show Notes
