English Rakugo Performance by Katsura Sunshine
On July 2, the Embassy of Japan hosted Katsura Sunshine for a Rakugo performance, a traditional form of Japanese comedic storytelling. A native of Toronto, he is the only non-Japanese professional Rakugo performer in Japan. Katsura Sunshine has been appointed Cultural Ambassador for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and since his parents are originally from Slovenia, he is also presently acting as Friendship Ambassador for Japan and the Republic of Slovenia.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Monji thanked Katsura Sunshine for coming to Ottawa for his fourth appearance at the Embassy, adding that his performances are a wonderful example of how traditional arts and culture can be reinvented and adapted to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers.
As a tribute to His Excellency Dr. Marjan Cencen, Ambassador of the Slovenia to Canada, Katsura Sunshine started his performance by playing Slovenian and Japanese songs on the accordion.
Between well-known rakugo titles like “Jugem”, “Miso Beans” and “Zoo”, Katsura Sunshine amusingly recounted episodes of his experiences in Japan and elsewhere, delighting the more than 100 people who came out the performance.
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