落 語(らくご)

らくご

noun

rakugo

1. rakugo, comedic storytelling

A traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling performed by a single seated performer using only a fan and a small cloth as props.

落語(らくご)を聞(き)きに行(い)った。

I went to listen to rakugo.

落語(らくご)のオチが面白(おもしろ)かった。

The punchline of the rakugo was funny.

落語(らくご)家(か)になるには長(なが)い修行(しゅぎょう)が必要(ひつよう)だ。

Becoming a rakugo performer requires long training.

Compound: 落(らく) (fall, drop) + 語(ご) (words, story) - referring to the "落(お)ち" (punchline/fall)

CULTURAL NOTE (performance style):

Performed seated on a cushion (座布団(ざぶとん))
Uses only two props: a fan (扇子(せんす)) and a small cloth (手拭(てぬぐい))
One performer plays all characters, using voice and posture changes

Common collocations

落語(らくご)を聞(き)く (to listen to rakugo)
落語(らくご)家(か) (rakugo performer)
寄席(よせ) (rakugo theater/variety hall)
オチ/落(お)ち (punchline)
古典(こてん)落語(らくご) (classical rakugo)
新作(しんさく)落語(らくご) (new/modern rakugo)

CULTURAL NOTE (venues):

鈴本(すずもと)演芸場(えんげいじょう) (Suzumoto Engei Hall - Tokyo)
天満(てんま)天神繁昌亭(てんじんはんじょうてい) (Osaka)

Related Words

Related: 漫才(まんざい) (manzai)

Compare: 漫談(まんだん) (comic talk)

Compare: 講談(こうだん) (storytelling performance)

Related: 謎(なぞ)かけ (riddle)

Compare: コント ((comedy) sketch)

general

Added 2026.1.14 23:59 · Revised 2026.10.10 16:55

04000/04457_rakugo