Rakugo glossary
The handful of Japanese words you'll hear around rakugo — explained in plain English.
Rakugo (落語)
Japan's traditional comic storytelling. A lone performer, seated on a cushion, plays every character in a story using only a fan and a hand towel.
Yose (寄席)
A variety hall where rakugo and other traditional acts are performed, often in day-long line-ups. Tokyo's regular yose include Suzumoto, Suehirotei, Asakusa Engei Hall and Ike-no-hata Yose.
Kōza (高座)
The raised stage or platform on which the performer sits.
Makura (枕)
Literally "pillow" — the improvised, chatty introduction before the main story, used to warm up the audience and set up the theme.
Sage / Ochi (サゲ / 落ち)
The punchline that ends the story. On this site we keep the sage a secret so first-time listeners can enjoy it fresh.
Zabuton (座布団)
The floor cushion the performer sits on throughout.
Sensu (扇子)
A folding fan — the performer's main prop, standing in for chopsticks, a pipe, a brush, a sword and much more.
Tenugui (手拭い)
A hand towel used as a prop: a wallet, a book, a letter, and so on.
Shin'uchi (真打)
The top rank. A shin'uchi may headline a show (close the program) and take on apprentices.
Futatsume (二ツ目)
The middle rank, between apprentice and master.
Zenza (前座)
The apprentice rank — opening performers who also handle backstage chores.
Edo vs Kamigata (江戸 / 上方)
Two regional traditions: Edo (Tokyo) rakugo is quieter and more understated; Kamigata (Osaka/Kyoto) rakugo is livelier and sometimes uses a small table (kendai) and musical accompaniment.
Kokkeibanashi (滑稽噺)
Comic stories — the funny, lighthearted heart of the repertoire.
Ninjōbanashi (人情噺)
Human-drama stories — warm, moving tales, often with a tear as well as a laugh.
Kaidanbanashi (怪談噺)
Ghost stories, traditionally performed in summer.