Rakugo in English? The 4th iteration of this smash hit series will be taking place in Resola Tenjin!

Tatekawa Shinohachi and Shinoharu will be delivering their rakugo in English for audiences in Fukuoka for the very first time!  

Resola Tenjin is a comprehensive facility offering plenty of urbane and high-end brands nestled in the heart of Fukuoka’s Tenjin area. Resola Hall is in turn an event venue located on the building’s 5th floor and many independent performers often employ their services. 

Events such as the “Nicolai Bergmann Flower Exhibition” (2022), “The Village of Coexistence Kurokawa INN Museum Exhibit” (2023), and the “Silent Movie Show” (2024) are all examples of the unique and unorthodox exhibitions and performances that Resola Hall has held up until now. These experiences have contributed to the venue’s reputation as a place where ideas, things, and people can all interact in an uninhibited setting. 

For the 4th “Resola Tenjin Presents…” performance, the novel and modern Tatekawa combo will be delivering their side-splittingly hilarious English rakugo performance for “Resola Tenjin Presents: Shinohachi and Shinoharu, Rakugo in English]! 

Rakugo in English? How funny can it be? Come and find out for yourselves! 

Maybe some of you will ask, how can rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedy, possibly translate into English? Is it funny? These are all totally reasonable questions. However, this novel English rakugo has attracted attention for allaying those concerns with the raucous laughter of both Japanese and English speaking audiences. 

The efforts of Shinohachi and Shinoharu have become a known article nationwide, and with decidedly international aspirations they will be performing in Fukuoka for the first time. 

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Please don’t miss what is sure to be a hilarious performance!

≫Tickets can be purchased here　

Performer Profiles

Tatekawa Shinohachi

Born in 1974, from Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture. In May of 2000 he joined the Tatekawa rakugo school where he received his first name, Shinojiku, before later graduating in 2009 with the name Shinohachi. In March of 2011 he was awarded the 10th Sagamihara Young rakugo award. In September 2012 he then won additional plaudits as the best young rakugo performer. Finally, in November of 2017 he was promoted to the primary performer rank, or shinuchi, under the name of Shinohachi. 

Shinohachi’s comment

“The true power of rakugo comes from the live setting, I think. By translating our rakugo into English I hope that audiences will be able to enjoy one of Japan’s traditional performing arts. We will be taking traditional rakugo themes and translate them in simple English for everybody to enjoy. Even if this is your first rakugo viewing there’s no need to be frightened! By using English I think the humor will be quite easy to grasp. After all, English rakugo is still rakugo. I can’t wait to see all of you at Resola Hall! 

Tatekawa Shinoharu

Born in 1976, from Toyonaka City in Osaka. Between his childhood and university days he spent roughly 7 years in the United States of America. After graduating from Yale University, he worked for Mitsui & Co. for 3 and a half years before seeing his first rakugo performance by chance in 2002, a moment which inspired him to join the Tatekawa school. In 2020 he was promoted to shinuchi. He performs new rakugo, older styles, and now increasingly English rakugo. He is also the author of “Rakugo in English” (Shinchosha, Inc.) and many other books.

Shinoharu’s comment

“Rakugo is a form of comedy that forms from the interaction of the imagination of the performer and their audience. For this reason, every performance is a unique ‘one-off’ of sorts, as the specific chemistry of that specific performance can never truly be replicated. What really impresses me is that today’s audiences still find material from the Edo period (over 200 years ago) entertaining. I want everybody to experience this performance, as it perfectly illustrates how the hilarity of rakugo transcends both time and language.”

Those who understand English are certainly welcome, but even those who are not accustomed to speaking it or are in the process of learning the language are invited to enjoy the performance as well. Foreign residents living in Fukuoka are also invited to come to Resola Tenjin and listen to the rakugo, Japan’s very own traditional sit-down comedy style. 

Cost

All seating is free seating (tax included)
General admission: 2,000 yen.
Students: 1,000 yen (for high school, occupational school, college, graduate students)
Elementary and middle schoolers: 500 yen
*Note: For those who have purchased the student and/or elementary and middle schooler tickets you may be asked to supply identification. Please make sure to bring a form of ID with you to the venue.
*Elementary schoolers must come accompanied by an adult. 
*Young children (not yet enrolled in school) are not allowed. 

Tickets
Ticket Pia・Seven・Eleven Stores