落語家(らくごか)

らくごか
noun
rakugo performer; rakugo storyteller
occupationculture
1. rakugo performer; rakugo storyteller
A professional performer of 落語(らくご), the traditional Japanese art of comic storytelling. The performer kneels alone on stage in a kimono, narrates a long humorous story, and plays all characters by changing voice and direction of gaze.
有名(ゆうめい)な落語家(らくごか)が出演(しゅつえん)した。
A famous rakugo performer appeared.
彼(かれ)は落語家(らくごか)になりたくて弟子(でし)入(い)りした。
He wanted to become a rakugo performer, so he became an apprentice.
落語家(らくごか)は扇子(せんす)と手拭(てぬぐ)いだけで多(おお)くの登場人物(とうじょうじんぶつ)を演(えん)じ分(わ)ける。
Rakugo performers play many different characters using only a fan and a hand towel.

Compound of 落語(らくご) (rakugo) + 家(か) (practitioner, professional). 落語家(らくごか) follow a strict ranking system: 見習(みなら)い → 前座(ぜんざ) → 二(に)つ目(め) → 真打(しんうち).

Common collocations

  • 落語家(らくごか)になる: to become a rakugo performer
  • 人気(にんき)落語家(らくごか): popular rakugo performer
  • 落語家(らくごか)に弟子入(でしい)りする: to apprentice oneself to a rakugo performer

Cultural note

A rakugo performer's stage name is given by their master and changes as they rise through the ranks. The two main professional associations are 落語協会(らくごきょうかい) and 落語芸術協会(らくごげいじゅつきょうかい) in Tokyo.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 芸人(げいにん) (entertainer)
Compare: 噺家(はなしか) (storyteller)
Related: 漫才師(まんざいし) (manzai comedian)
general
Added 2026.6.1 11:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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