2010.06.24

Rakugo was the topic introduced by Prof. Sakai Takako of Tsukuba University. We were able to learn of the various kinds of word play that are used in the 'Art of Storytelling'. The Japanese language offers a number of similar sounding words that can be easily adjusted to give different and unexpected meanings. This can be demonstrated also with different kanji with similar sounds but widely different meanings. We looked at the rhythm and meter of some poetry and how they are put together, and then we tried a few on our own. It is a fun activity that can be done by a student who has had a few years of Japanese. After this presentation we were involved in a workshop with Mr. Yanagiya Sankyou. His initial presentation also focused on presentation, variations of the voice, face, the style and manner of movement. How one presents to an audience (as in what a performer looks at, how they acknowledge (or don't acknowledge) the audience. How one is able to convincingly present many different people (how a young person will look up, an older person will look down when talking to a young person) while performing. We were then able to take a 'risk' and attempt to perform in similar manner. I find this style quite attractive, and is a skill I would like to learn, but I feel it will take an apprenticeship of 20 years or more, and let's just wait and see. I believe Middlebury College and perhaps University of Hawaii also do something with this on a college level, and it was a fun and interesting activity. Mr. Yanagiya then performed for an hour and a half and presented a superior performance.