Sit-down comedian knocks New Yorkers off their feet

By David Jeffries

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13 Comments

rjd_jr at 08:08 AM JST - 9th October

Great for him. I think Americans would appreciate this kind of humor, it takes talent and hard work to bring stories alive to a big audience. I think many Americans are tired of the sorry state of many "comedians" in their home country, where it seems that simply because one uses a curse word in every sentence, or uses nasty and gratuitous sexual descriptions, that somehow makes them "funny."
BlackFlag at 09:37 AM JST - 9th October

that's what my grandmother says
Altria at 09:54 AM JST - 9th October

Good for him. Rakugo and manzai guys actually have real 'talento'.
borscht at 10:14 AM JST - 9th October

I think many Americans are tired of the sorry state of many "comedians" in their home country, where it seems that simply because one uses a curse word in every sentence, or uses nasty and gratuitous sexual descriptions, that somehow makes them "funny."

As opposed repeatedly hitting someone over the head with a huge plastic hammer. That one always cracks me up. The best rakugo storytellers remind me of Jonathan Winters who could create characters simply by raising an eyebrow or a shift in his voice.
doombird at 11:43 AM JST - 9th October

that's what my grandmother says

Your grandmother also wants rakugo to be like sushi? :)

I think it's great what this guy is doing. I've tried to watch rakugo in Japanese, but as the name might imply, it's very, very hard for non-natives to follow because the words come at you so quickly. While I'm sure in English the jokes can't be the same and something is always lost, I think it's nice to take your culture's style and try to present it to a foreign audience as genuinely, and accessibly, as you can. Best-case scenario, both sides gain something from it.
thepro at 12:54 PM JST - 9th October

I think rakugo can be quite funny, and would translate well. Manzai, however, is too childish I think.
Ranger_Miffy at 01:11 PM JST - 9th October

I've recently begun going to the local Rakugo Club here in Ryogoku. It's drop deal hilarious. Everyone can sit right in front of the stage, so it is quite cozy. Lucky, lucky, lucky.
SpanishEyez37 at 02:52 PM JST - 9th October

Americans

are tired of the sorry state of many "comedians" in their home country, where it seems that simply because one uses a curse word in every sentence, or uses nasty and gratuitous sexual descriptions, that somehow makes them "funny."

Oh as opposed to the comedians on Japanese TV who do pretty much the same thing you are describing. pffft.
timeon at 10:58 PM JST - 9th October

this guy came to the housing complex where I live and gave a show for foreigners. I've heard he was really good, really sorry I've missed him
Slovman at 06:29 AM JST - 10th October

He actually gave one more performance on September 27th in Kansas City, which I was fortunate enough to see. Very funny stuff.
piroz121 at 07:04 AM JST - 10th October

It's just an attempt to sell to the world anything Japanese , and that's a bit too much , my point is , some things just should stay in their homelands.
LadyO at 08:56 PM JST - 16th October

thats great he feels that way

"But Americans now know what sushi is and can enjoy it. For Americans, I want rakugo to be like sushi."

A real entertainers heart (unlike the garbage spewed about the states nowadays/years!)
EurajReturns at 02:00 AM JST - 17th October

It's just an attempt to sell to the world anything Japanese , and that's a bit too much , my point is , some things just should stay in their homelands.

A xenophobe outside of Japan, perhaps?