If you love learning Japanese, funny stories and performing, then we have an exciting opportunity for you! We are looking for performers for the Kobanashi Happyoukai 2024!

Kobanashi is a style of Japanese sitting comedy, performed as a prelude to Rakugo (traditional Japanese one-man storytelling). Kobanashi performers tell short (often under a minute) humorous stories all while sitting “seiza” Japanese style.

We will be putting on Rakugo events in Oxford on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November and in London on Sunday 10th November, with a master performer travelling from Japan. As part of the Rakugo events, we will also have Kobanashi performance events. This is an amazing chance to perform in front of an audience and also get advice from a Japanese Rakugo master during the event rehearsal .

There is no age limit and you are not required to be a fluent Japanese speaker to take part! Kobanashi is a great way to learn Japanese so we encourage any and all Japanese learners to take part in this event! If you are a teacher, you can help guide your students through the world of Kobanashi using some useful websites, which we have linked below.

To find out more details, including eligibility, what sort of performances we are looking for, and information on travel expenses, check out our detailed guidelines:

Kobanashi Happyokai 2024 - Guidelines

Click here to fill out the application form – OXFORD 9th November

Click here to fill out the application form – LONDON 10th November

Application deadline: 24 October 2024 at 15:00 (BST/UTC+1)

Check out some useful websites with Kobanashi performances videos:

1. Kokusai Kobanashi Godo Happyoukai (KKGH)

2. Minna no Kobanashi Project

3. Kobanashi Performance Event in September 2021  (organised by JF London)

*All websites are in Japanese except for Link 3.

We will also soon hold a casual meet-up event (date TBC) for teachers. We hope it will help teachers who want to encourage their students to try Kobanashi and take part in the upcoming Kobanashi performance event.

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Event Dates/Times/Venues (save the date!)

* A Rakugo event without Kobanashi performances will be held in the evening of Friday 8th November in Oxford as well.

*We will open applications for event spectators soon.

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We can’t wait to receive your Kobanashi performance applications!

If you have any enquiries, contact us (in English or Japanese) at events.japanese@jpf.go.jp