1.
art of storytelling; narrative performance art
The skill or art form of entertaining an audience through spoken performance. Encompasses traditional Japanese genres such as rakugo, manzai, and kodan, as well as modern stand-up and storytelling styles.
話芸の世界は奥が深い。
The world of storytelling art runs deep.
あの噺家は話芸に定評がある。
That storyteller has an established reputation for his narrative art.
落語は日本を代表する話芸のひとつで、江戸時代から続いている。
Rakugo is one of Japan's representative storytelling arts and has continued since the Edo period.
Composed of 話 (talk, speech) and 芸 (art, performance). Refers specifically to performance arts where the spoken word is the primary medium — the performer's voice, timing, and delivery are the craft. This distinguishes 話芸 from acting (演技) or singing (歌唱).
Japan has a particularly rich tradition of 話芸, with genres dating back centuries. The word carries cultural weight and implies respect for the craft.
KEY GENRES:
- 落語: comic storytelling by a solo performer on a cushion
- 漫才: stand-up comedy duo with rapid-fire exchanges
- 講談: dramatic narrative recitation of historical tales
- 浪曲: narrative singing with shamisen accompaniment
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 話芸を磨く: to polish one's storytelling art
- 話芸の達人: a master of storytelling
- 話芸に定評がある: to have an established reputation for storytelling