Kashiwa Branch hosted a cultural event "English Rakugo".

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the ”English Rakugo” event was held at the Media Hall of Kashiwa Library at Kashiwa campus. This annual event, now in its 7th year, was co-hosted by the Mitsui Volunteer Network Center and the University of Tokyo Kashiwa Library, featuring a performance by the Kaishi-kai English Rakugo Club. The event welcomed 101 participants from 23 countries and regions, who enjoyed Japan’s traditional storytelling art.

The program consisted of eight performances, including familiar features such as "What's Rakugo" and "Rakugo Experience," as well as popular stories like "Chiri-tote-chin" and "Momotaro", which even rakugo beginners could recognize. Using only words, facial expressions, and gestures while seated, the performers captivated the audience and immersed them in the world of rakugo.

During the intermission, known as "nakairi, participants and performers gathered in the adjacent space to enjoy tea and snacks. Many attendees took the opportunity to share their impressions of the earlier performances directly with the performers, fostering a lively and engaging atmosphere. Post-event feedback included comments such as, "I imagined rakugo to be more classical, but I found it fascinating how modern elements were incorporated," and "The humor transcended language barriers—it was amazing!" Overall, we received many positive responses, highlighting the success of the event.