“Shibahama-tei,” a performance series presented by “MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives,” is a traditional variety show experience that combines authentic performances by accomplished artists with a diverse array of entertainment, including music, manzai comedy, magic, acrobatics, and vocal impersonations.
The June performances will feature “Rokyoku” and “Hokan.”
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Rokyoku, also known as Naniwabushi, is one of the “Three Great Japanese Storytelling Arts,” alongside Rakugo and Kodan. It is a traditional art form in which stories are woven through unique intonation and narration accompanied by the shamisen.
The performer, Nanafuku, joined a Rakugo shamisen class in 1994 and began studying under Tamagawa Fukutaro the following year, in 1995. She worked as an accompanist before beginning her career as a Rakugo performer in 2001. In 2006, she changed her stage name to Nanafuku. She is active in a wide range of fields, including creating her own original Rakugo pieces and producing various events.
Mami Sawamura is a Rakugo singer from Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. While growing up with Kabuki, Rakugo, and Kōdan, she discovered Rakugo and was struck by the realization that “Rakugo is the cry of the human soul.” Captivated by the sound of Toyoko Sawamura’s shamisen, she began her apprenticeship in March 2019 and made her stage debut in June 2020.
Hōkan, also known as “taikomochi” (drum bearers) or “male geisha,” are traditional entertainers who liven up the atmosphere at banquets and private parties by performing. Their role is to keep guests entertained and energize the venue through their performances.
Matsunoya Hachiko, who works as a hōkan, taiko player, and male geisha, studied mime under Hiroyasu Sasaki in 1994. After winning numerous awards both in Japan and abroad, he became an apprentice to the hōkan Sakuragawa Shichiko. He made his debut in the Asakusa entertainment district in 2014 and is currently active in entertainment districts across the country, drawing on his background in mime.
In addition to the performances, the program includes a roundtable discussion with the performers. As they discuss the background of the works and their performance techniques, even those new to Rakugo and the world of the “bōkan” can gain a deeper appreciation of their charm.
At “Shibahama-tei,” you can experience the humor, human warmth, and expressive richness of Japan’s classical performing arts—qualities that resonate even today. We invite you to visit as your first step into the world of traditional storytelling.
