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パキスタン公演2006
Dawn Islamabad, Fri. November 24, 2006
"Japanese comedians tickle audience pink"
Islamabad, Nov 23: Demonstrating their country's traditional form of story-telling, Rakugo, three Japanese comedians gave a wonderful performance at the Islamabad Club auditorium on
Thursday, receiving much appreciation from the delighted audience. Welcoming Culture Minister Dr G.G. Jamal, who was the chief guest on the occasion, Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima said this form of Japanese entertainment though full of monologues, also had room for audio-visual effects, and usually ended with a cunning narrative stunt called Ochi
(loose translation - fall). The ambassador said the comedy had its birth in the mediaeval periods and the actors were
patronised by feudal lords. Later, the samurai took it over to perform before elite audiences. The art form also received inspiration from Buddhism, particularly in 16th and 17th centuries.
The 90 minutes performance by the Rakugo comedian trio - Dr Kimie Oshima, Shofukutei Kakushow,
and Katsura Asakichi - reflected different aspects of Japanese society and culture. It was rendered in English for the convenience of Pakistani audiences.
At the end, Dr Kimie Oshima, wearing a beautiful green Japanese kimono, said they had 500 master teachers who had inherited this traditional form of art from their forefathers. Students seeking training in Rakugo must apprentice themselves to the master for two or three years. It is a hard life for these students who have to learn and carry out chores of their master's house round the clock.
She pointed out that the art was not easy to present on stage. "Only conversations between characters appear in the story, and the performer is called upon to play the role of each
distinct character. And there may be an endless variety of them. The actors had to change their voice many times during the performance."
She observed that the group had come for the first time to Pakistan, but they had performed in 20 other countries including the UK, the US, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Dr Oshima was also pleased by the appreciation received by the group first at karachi and now in Islamabad.
英語で一席
イスラマバードで「英語落語」を楽しむ機会があった。日本大使館などが日本文化の紹介のために開いた寄席だ。英語落語は、日本の笑いを世界に知ってもらおうと、文京学院大学助教授の大島希巳江さんが取り組んでいる。この日の高座には、その大島さんと桂あさ吉さん、人形を使った「パペット落語」の笑福亭鶴笑さんが交代で上がった。客席にはパキスタン人の招待客ら約200人が詰め掛けた。どの出し物も大受けだ。隣席に座った婦人は、大笑いしすぎて目に涙を浮かべていたほどだった。「一人で何役もこなし、あっち向いたりこっち向いたりするしぐさが新鮮だった」と話していた。もちろん、パキスタンにもお笑いはある。家庭などを舞台にしたジョーク満載のコメディーが人気で、家族連れで劇場に見に行く人が多い。ただ、幕あいに女性の踊りが登場し、人気を下げた劇場もあるという。いかがわしいわけではないが、肩や脇腹をのぞかせた衣装が一家だんらんの雰囲気に合わないようだ。その点、落語は大丈夫。客席の様子では、芸自体の面白さはもちろん、家族連れで楽しめる健全さが大受けした理由のひとつだったのだろう。 |
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→朝日新聞2006年12月28日 特派員メモ・イスラマバード
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The Frontier Post, Fri. November 24, 2006
Islamabad: Kimie Oshima addresses a press conference regarding Rakugo Jaoanese Sit Down Comedy
here on Thursday.
The Nation Friday, November 24, 2006
"Japanese Comedians perform in Capital"
A group of visiting Japanese comedians performed a traditional form of entertainment Japanese comedy named "Rakugo Comedy (sit-down comedy) here on Thursday.
The embassy of Japan in Pakistan,the Japan foundation, Pakistan Japan cultural association in collaboration of PNCA is organising this Japanese Traditional Rakugo (sit-down comedy).
The press preview held at Islamabad Club, where Japanese artist talked to the media and gives the details about their first ever performance in Islamabad. Three Japanese artists Ms Kimie Oshima, Shofukutei Kakushow and Katsura Asakichi were also present at the press preview.
The performer usually equipped with a fan (Sensu) and hand towel (Tenugui). There help the performer express and act out the story.
While speaking on the occasion, Ms Kimie Oshima said, "We tried change the common image of Japanese that they don't have comic sense, we want to show that we are as well funny and talk in humorous way."
She said that the Rakugo stories are mostly of 15-20 minutes. Each artist in Rakugo has one or two stories to tell. She said we are already performed in 20 differen countries of Asia and western countries, but first time in Pakistan. According to her they performed in Karachi and get very good response especially from the children.
In Rakugo only the conversations between characters appears in the story. Therefore, the performer must be able to play the role of each character by changing voice, facial expression, mannerisms, speech, etc. In most of cases the character has strong stereotypical personalities and characteristics so that as the performer switches from one character toanother, the audience readily detects the change.
The Rakugo stories are usually centered on the tales told among common people or lectures told by local priests. The stories reflect traditional concepts and values, which nevertheless remain meaningful and entertaining today.
Rakugo can be best described as Japanese sit-down comedy of comic story telling. Just as there is stand-up comedy in the western countries, there is sit-down comedy in Japan. The performers wear traditional formal Japanese cloths (kimono).
The artists will perform on 23rd and 24th November at Islamabad Club Auditorium at 6:30pm.
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←パキスタンの公演会場はカラチもイスラマバードもかなり本格的で、意外。舞台はすべて手作りなのだけれど、あまり手作り感を思わせないほど。背景の文字は、実はひとつひとつ、画用紙を切り抜いて貼ってあるのです！細かい作業をしてくれたスタッフに感謝！
しかし、着物を着ると妊娠8ヶ月のお腹もほとんど目立たないでしょ。
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