Comic story Edo & Kamigata
Jugemu
寿限無・じゅげむ
The story
A new father wants only the luckiest name for his baby son, so he asks the temple priest for suggestions. Unable to choose, he simply strings every auspicious phrase together into one enormous name. The trouble is that from then on, nobody can call the boy for anything without reciting the whole endless mouthful first.
What to listen for
The joy is the performer rattling off the impossibly long name in one smooth, rhythmic breath, over and over. It is the classic first story taught to beginners.
Background
Japanese parents traditionally sought lucky names promising long life and fortune; the humor comes from a father who greedily wants all of that luck at once.
Notable performers
🤫 We keep the sage (punchline) a secret so your first listen stays fresh. Reader reviews are currently in Japanese — see the Japanese page (use the 🌐 switch to come back).