Rakugo Workshop! Online Japanese Comedy Storytelling

Expand your cultural horizons with this online workshop into Rakugo, a 400-year-old Japanese comedy storytelling art form. This is a rare opportunity for you to learn in English from Showko - The only professionally trained Japanese Rakugo artist currently working outside of Japan in Melbourne.
A Rakugo story is told by a performer who has to act out a story by themselves with only two humble props, a folding fan (Sensu) and hand towel (Tenugui). They must be able to play the role of each distinct character by changing personality, facial expression, mannerisms, speech, etc. Due to the simple structure, they can express and describe anything, drawing the viewer into the story through their imagination.

This updated and condensed 2-hour online workshop provides clear skills and techniques that you can implement immediately and covers the very fundamental structure of Rakugo:

"The workshops were so much fun and very engaging! It was a great opportunity to learn a lot of the aspects of Rakugo."

What you will learn:
- Introduction and history of Rakugo
- Introduction to Rakugo stories and jokes
- How to perform Short Rakugo stories
- Movements & techniques
- Rules of performing
- Lots of interaction and participation
- Q&A
- Including scripts and access to the workshop video
- All in English

Please prepare these two items for the workshop:
- Folding Fan (Any type or a pen)
- Tenugui or Handkerchief or Bandana

If you want professional Rakugo props, folding fan (Sensu) and hand towel (Tenugui) - Made in Japan.

You can purchase them on the Official Merchandise website.

Perfect for:
- Learning Rakugo stories and techniques
- Learning a new form of Storytelling
- Using Rakugo for language teaching
- Learning new theatre or acting skills
- Entertaining people
- Those who love comedy
- Those who love Japan
- Also recommended for Storytellers, Teachers, Students, Performing Artists and Actors.
- Learn with like-minded people from all over the world.

Including scripts and access to the workshop video for 1 month.
Register now via Trybooking.

Rakugo Workshop Reviews:
"The workshops were so much fun and very engaging! It was a great opportunity to learn a lot of the aspects of Rakugo. e.g. behind the scenes of Rakugo shows, Rakugo techniques, Rakugo history, etc. " - Japanese Teacher, Victoria, Australia

"Thank you so much for such an enjoyable workshop! It was so interesting to hear about the history of Rakugo and to watch your stories and to learn about how to perform them. I feel like I learned a lot and appreciated very much how complex it is to create a Rakugo performance! It was a wonderful experience and I'm very glad I was able to take part in it." - Participant, Australia

"I enjoyed the lessons tremendously! Thank you for making this art form so accessible for us." - Multicultural Storyteller, Singapore

"To enhance my skills as a storyteller I’ve been attending a Rakugo workshop by professional Rakugo performer, Showko Showfukutei. Absolutely loved it!!! I’ve learned so much from this Rakugo workshop. Showko is not only a fabulous performer but a wonderful and patient teacher too. I’m so glad to join this workshop. I highly recommend it to my friends."- Storyteller, India

“As a Japanese teacher I found this very useful. I will use Rakugo to assist in teaching Japanese to my students.”- Japanese Teacher, Queensland

“Very informative. Great to have both theory and practical. The class setting allowed for more questions, hands-on practice and detailed information.”- Participant, Sydney

“Wonderful. Excellent information, history and demonstration. I learnt a lot - especially participating in the short story performances.”- Participant, Sydney

“By learning from a totally different art form and culture it has opened my mind to see my performance from a different perspective. I highly recommend it.”- Actor, USA