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Photo, Print, Drawing History of the Rakugo Revival.

About this Item

Title

  • History of the Rakugo Revival.

Summary

  • This is a scrapbook in which the famous novelist Shikitei Sanba (1776-1822) has stuck the handouts from eight otoshibanashi or rakugo (literally, fallen words) performances held between 1808 and 1817, late in the Edo period (1600-1868). On the blank pages and in the spaces left by the pasted handouts Shikitei has written commentaries about the performances and information about the revival of rakugo. Rakugo is a traditional Japanese art form in which a single performer, dressed in traditional Japanese clothes, sits on his knees seiza-style and amuses the crowd by telling funny stories. The artists perform multiple roles by modifying their vocal delivery and using various facial and manual gestures. With only a fan and a towel as props, they express everything, even walking and running, while remaining seated. This form of performance originated in the second half of the 17th century, but it disappeared for a while before it was revived in the second half of the 18th century. It is still performed today. The handouts pasted into this book are invitations to rakugo performances, color prints of beautiful pictures painted by famous artists, and descriptions of the history of rakugo. The book's title, Otoshibanashi chūkō raiyu, means the history of the revival of rakugo. Its alternative title of Otoshibanashi kai Suriecho means "Scrapbook of Flyers from Rakugo Performances." This is considered to be an important document for understanding the history of rakugo.

Names

  • Shikitei, Sanba, 1775-1822 Creator.

Created / Published

  • [place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 1815.

Headings

  • -  Japan
  • -  1815
  • -  Actors
  • -  Entertainers
  • -  Japanese drama
  • -  Programs
  • -  Rakugo
  • -  Theatrical productions
  • -  Wit and humor

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 1 book ; 26 x 17.4 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: National Diet Library.
  • -  Content in Japanese.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021668854

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

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Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Shikitei, Sanba, Creator. History of the Rakugo Revival. Japan, 1815. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021668854/.

APA citation style:

Shikitei, S. (1815) History of the Rakugo Revival. Japan, 1815. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021668854/.

MLA citation style:

Shikitei, Sanba, Creator. History of the Rakugo Revival. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021668854/>.