Shohei Shofukutei, one of Japan’s leading comedy gurus and a well-known rakugo master, died on the morning of Jan. 22 at the age of 66.
According to an obituary issued by his management company, he died of an acute aortic dissection while lying on his back in his Tokyo home.
Rakugo originated in the Edo period. It is a famous traditional performing art in Japan and attaches great importance to the inheritance from masters to apprentices. Rakugo performers usually perform solo kneeling on cushions while wearing kimonos. With a fan in hand, they tell a series of stories. Whether a performer can tell the story vividly or make the audience laugh depends on his skill….
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