This event includes performances by two rakugo masters: Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon receiver Yanagiya Sankyō, and Ryūtei Saryū, Yanagiya Sankyō’s apprentice and a master. There will be a lecture on rakugo traveling across cultures, an introduction to Japanese language education through kobanashi, and a kobanashi presentation by Japanese language learners. We hope you will enjoy rakugo and kobanashi during these two precious days!

Sign up to this event by filling out the application form before 18th September 2021.

About the speakers

Yanagiya Sankyō (stage name) is a Rakugo Master from Tokyo. He has been a Rakugo performer since 1967 and achieved Shin’Uchi Rakugo Storyteller Master status (the highest Rakugo rank) in 1981. Currently, he is the Permanent Director of the Rakugo Association. Yanagiya Sankyō was a recipient of the Japan Foundation Award in 2014, for his work incorporating Rakugo in the field of Japanese language education. In 2017 he was given the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon by Japan. He has performed Rakugo all over the world, including in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Ryūtei Saryū (stage name) is a Rakugo Master from Kashiwa City in Chiba Prefecture. He was an apprentice of Yanagiya Sankyō from 1993 and began performing Rakugo. He was promoted to Shin’Uchi Rakugo Master Storyteller status (the highest Rakugo rank) in 2006.  He has performed Rakugo all over the world, including in Europe. From 2013 he has been working as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, teaching about Edo culture and Rakugo.