A circle of friends connected by goo touchi! The “FIST BUMP” corner of the radio program “GRAND MARQUEE” features people who live and enjoy Tokyo in a relay format.
On November 29, rakugo storyteller Shunputei Ikkyu appeared on the program, introduced by the comedy duo Manjyu Daiteikoku. This time, he demonstrated the classic rakugo story “Kinmeichiku” as well as how he started rakugo at Kyoto University and the episodes with his master, Shunputei Ichinosuke.
INDEX
The encounter with Rakugo was a welcome addition to the university. From then on, I focused on rakugo.
Celeina (MC): First of all, let me introduce you to Mr.Ikkyu’s profile: he was born in Sapporo in 1993 and graduated from Kyoto University’s Faculty of Science in 2017. Let me say it again. he graduated from Kyoto University, Faculty of Science.
Takano (MC): Intelligence.
Celeina: He was introduced to Shunputei Ichinosuke in 2018 and will become a zenza in 2019. He was then promoted to Futatsume in 2023.
Takano: Do you usually wear a jacket style?
Ikkyu: Yes, I do. There are rare people who live in kimono, but I usually wear western clothes and change into a kimono before the performance starts.
Celeina: Does it turn you on when you wear a kimono on stage?
Ikkyu: I think so. Also, kimonos are expensive, so I don’t want to get them dirty.
Celeina：Real.
Takano: Simple.
Celeina：I would like to talk with you about many things, but first I would like to ask you what made you want to become a rakugo artist.
Ikkyu: I read picture books about rakugo when I was in elementary school, and I was vaguely familiar with rakugo, but it wasn’t until I entered university that I really got into it. I saw a performance by the Rakugo Kenkyukai at a welcome event for new students, and I thought it was great and wanted to be a part of it, so I joined.
Celeina：You are in the Faculty of Science at Kyoto University, aren’t you? So you enjoyed rakugo at the same time as studying hard?
Isshu: Well, yes, …… (haha).
Takano: That’s funny (haha).
Celeina: Did I ask the wrong question? (haha) I thought it was a very unexpected career.
Ikkyu: I graduated just in time, so I was still studying, but I was much more involved in Rakugo Kenkyukai.
Celeina: But that is how you got to where you are now, isn’t it?
Takano: If you had not entered Kyoto University, you would not have met Rakugo Kenkyukai, right?
Ikkyu: That may be so.
Celeina: Did you decide to pursue a career in rakugo without thinking at all about finding a job after graduating from Kyoto University?
Ikkyu：I did look for a job for a moment, but I thought there was nothing else I wanted to do except for rakugo.
Celeina: So you followed your love.
Ikkyu：I’m often told, “You must be very determined to become a rakugo storyteller” but I feel like I’m here because I wasn’t prepared to get a regular job and work.
