Rakugo - History

History

The origin of this art form can be traced back to the story collection Uji Shūi Monogatari (1213–18). Gradually the form turned from humorous narrative into monologue, probably upon the request of the daimyō, feudal lords, seeking people skilled enough to entertain them with various kinds of storytelling.

During the Edo period (1603–1867), thanks to the emergence of the merchant class of the chonin, the rakugo spread to the lower classes. Many groups of performers were formed, and collections of texts were finally printed. During the 17th century the actors were known as hanashika (found written as 噺家, 咄家, or 話家; lit. “storyteller”), corresponding to the modern term, rakugoka (落語家?, lit. “person of the falling word”).

Before the advent of modern rakugo there were the kobanashi (小噺?): short comical vignettes ending with an ochi, popular between the 17th and the 19th century. These were enacted in small public venues, or in the streets, and printed and sold as pamphlets. The origin of kobanashi is to be found in the Kinō wa kyō no monogatari (Yesterday Stories Told Today, ca. 1620), the work of an unknown author collecting approximately 230 stories describing the common class.