落語は江戸時代に発達した寄席演芸です。落語家は着物姿で高座という舞台に座り、主に対話形式で、語呂あわせや洒落を用いながらこっけいな話を独演します。話の終わりに「落ち」がつくのが特徴です。小道具には扇子や手ぬぐいなどが使われ、落語家はこれらを色々なものに見立てながら、観客を想像の世界へと導きます。
Rakugo
Rakugo, a vaudeville performance developed in the Edo Period.
The rakugo artist sits on stage on a dais, wearing kimono, and performs his humorous piece solo, with puns and wordplay, usually in the form of a dialogue.
The main feature is applying the “punch line” at the end of the piece. Folding fans and hand towels are used for props.
In making these sorts of props come alive, rakugo artists lead the spectators into an imaginative world.
