After graduating from Kyoto University, he was introduced to Shunputei Ichinosuke. The world of rakugo storytellers as told by Shunputei Ikkyu

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.

Training under the blunt but kind master, Shunputei Ichinosuke

Celeina：The world of rakugo has a harsh image, but what do you think?

Ikkyu: Generally speaking, you might imagine training like living in a master’s house, going there every morning, cleaning, doing laundry, and doing all the little things at the master’s house. There are about half of the people who practice this kind of training.We are the other half, and we have nothing. Before Corona, I would go to my master’s house once a week in the morning, and we would have time to chat over a cup of coffee.

Celeina: Sounds super fun.

Ikyu: There are four Yose theaters in Tokyo, and every day I would go backstage to fold kimonos, serve tea, and other small things.

Takano: What kind of person is Shunputei Ichinosuke?

Ikkyu: He has been appearing on a famous entertainment program, and I think many of our listeners have seen him, but he has the same image of being blunt. He is a kind man despite his bluntness, and he says to his disciples, “Do as you please, I don’t know. ” but he is always watching over us.

Celeina: He has a deep love.

Takano: What steps will you take in your career in rakugo?

Celeina: You mentioned in your profile that you are a Futatsume .

Ikkyu: When you first get started, you become an apprentice, and then you become the Zenza. Up to that point is the training period, from which you become a full-fledged player and are promoted to the Futatsume and Shinuchi. I just became the Futatsume this month.

Celeina: Congratulations!

Ikkyu: Thank you very much. I still have a long way to go.

Takano: What did you do as an apprentice?

Ikkyu:When I was an apprentice, I had not yet trained at a theater, so I worked as a bag-bearer for my master. I followed my master around and went to various places to learn how to work in the theater, and I also watched his rakugo performances from offstage.

Celeina: I’ve heard a lot of stories about rakugo so far, and I want to know what rakugo actually is.Will you be able to perform for me?

Ikkyu: Of course. The shortest is 10 minutes, and the longest is about an hour, but I will only perform the first part.

Celeina: Thank you very much. (Music starts playing.) Debayashi?

Ikkyu: Yes, it’s the Dehyayashi.

Celeina:Thank you very much.

Ikkyu: Now I would like to say a few words. (performs the beginning of “Kinmeichiku”)

Celeina:I’m very curious about the rest of the play.

Ikkyu:Please come and listen to the rest of the story at a Yose or Rakugo performance.

Takano: Thank you very much. Now that we have heard the rakugo, I would like to listen to a song. What song would you like everyone to listen to at this time?

Ikkyu： “Smile” by Quruli. I like comedies and watch a lot of comedy, movies, and cartoons, and this is the theme song for the movie “River, Nagarenaideyo” which was shot by a theater company called Europe Kikaku in 2023.

Takano: Let’s listen to it then.

It is different from both theater and voice acting. The unique acting ability of a rakugo storyteller.

Takano: Earlier, when you performed rakugo in front of me, I thought it was very extravagant, but when I saw your facial expressions change so quickly from character to character, I wondered if it also required a skill like acting ability.

Ikkyu: That’s right. Even if I say “acting skills,” since I am acting alone, unlike in theater or voice acting, I usually don’t use my voice to clearly distinguish between the characters. I don’t change my voice that much, and although I am the one speaking, I think that if I can play different people with different expressions, pauses, speed, and so on, I will be closer to a master.

Celeina：I see. So I hear that you are currently appearing in yose, so if I check your SNS for details, can I find out the schedule?

Ikkyu: I have just been promoted, and I am still in the process of creating a website and other things, so for now, you can check me on X (formerly Twitter).

Celeina: You can search for Shunputei Ikkyu’s X (old Twitter) with “@ikkyuu_rakugo”, so please check it out, listeners. Now, since “FIST BUMP” is a circle of friends connected through goo touch, we are asked to introduce our friends, but what kind of people do you introduce to us?

Ikkyu: Mr. Renji Tachibana, a Entertainment photographer.

Celeina: In a word, what kind of person is he?

Ikkyu: In a word, he is a loving person. It is a love of rakugo and respect for rakugo artists. He has a much longer career than I do, but he treats a newcomer like me with great openness and respect. He brings out the best in me and takes pictures of me, and when he takes pictures of me in the studio, he compliments me very much. He says things like, “I like your expression!　Keep it up!”. I almost take my clothes off (haha).

Celeina：Please don’t take it off (haha). I’m looking forward tomorrow. Thank you very much. Tomorrow, I will connect you to Renji Tachibana, an entertainment photographer.Today we welcomed rakugo storyteller Shunputei Ikkyu. Thank you very much.

Ikkyu: Thank you very much.

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