Rakugo is a form of traditional Japanese performing art that originated in the Edo period (1603-1868) and is performed in a special type of theater. The key characteristic of rakugo is that a single storyteller, with no props except a hand-held fan and a hand towel, opens up a narrative world using only speech and gestures, allowing listeners to engage their imaginations. Rakugo stories include laugh-out-loud comedic tales, accounts of misadventures, and heartwarming human dramas, compellingly conveying the entire breadth of human emotions.

While many stories are classics passed down since the Edo period, new stories are being prolifically produced to this day. Rakugo is alive and well thanks to its timeless appeal, with characters’ words, actions, and interactions brimming with humanity and humor that resonates across generations.

This exhibition explores rakugo through Nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) by Yamamoto Shunkyo and Ogura Yuki, textiles by Shimura Fukumi, American art by George Segal and others, and Art Brut including the works of Obata Masao, primarily from the museum’s collection. This offers seasoned rakugo connoisseurs and newcomers alike a “two-for-one” experience of multiple art forms. Enjoy the connections between rakugo stories and works of art, including local Shiga-related tales such as “The Eight Views of Omi” alongside classics like “A Cat’s Plate,” “The Sparrows that Flew Away,” and “Mt. Head.” We hope this exhibition plunges visitors into the world of rakugo, full of over-the-top absurdity and imagination that never fails to get laughs.