Yanagiya Tozaburo Brings Rakugo to the Bay Area

755 Page Mill Road,Palo Alto CA 94304

14 April, 2023

Description

**In Person Event** **This program is part of the Traditional Arts in Modern Japan series** Rakugo is the 400 year old tradition of comedic storytelling in Japan. A minimalistic performance, Rakugo features a lone storyteller dressed in a kimono, kneeling on a zabuton (cushion), while using only a fan and a hand towel for props. They entertain the audience with a comical monologue followed by a traditional story. We are honored to present Tozaburo Yanagiya, a master Rakugo storyteller with the drive to spread the word of Rakugo across America! Tozaburo has been performing all over Japan since 1999 and the United States since 2018. Don't miss your chance to experience a new type of comedic performance and learn about Japanese culture all in one night. One story will be in Japanese, the rest will be in English. ▼Event Details Date & Time: April 14, 2023 5:00-5:30 Registration 5:30-5:35 Welcome, Shu Kuboki | Intern Japan Society of Northern California & Student, UC Berkeley 5:35-5:40 Yanagiya Tozaburo | Rakugo 101 5:40-6:00 The Zoo (動物園) Rakugo in English 6:00-6:05 Koto Performance | Makiko Kawabe 6:05-6:25 Toki Soba (時そば) Rakugo in Japanese (English Subtitle) 6:25-6:35 Q&A 6:35-6:40 Closing | Keijiro Hora, Executive Director, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California Location: Morrison & Foerster | 755 Page Mill Road, Bldg. A, Palo Alto, CA 94304 Price:  General Admission: $25 Japan Society Language Students: Free (Promotion code is required) *Light food and drinks are included. **Thank you for supporting the Japan Society by covering the program expenses. ***No Walk-ins. Advanced registration is required for building security. Our Amazing Performer: Tozaburo Yanagiya was accepted as an apprentice of rakugo master Gontaro Yanagiya III, in 1999.  He was promoted to the highest rank of rakugo, Shin’uchi, in 2014.  He has performed in the Shoten Rakugo show, NHK’s “Katsura Bunchin no Engeizukan,” as well as in films including “Good Morning Show” and “Rakugo Story,” and in theater plays including “Monochro, Red Shinagawa, Blue Meguro” and more.  He won the New Artist Award in Popular Entertainment, the 71st Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan National Arts Festival in 2016.