Japan Station: A Podcast About Japanese Culture & the Japanese Language

JapanKyo.com
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Sep 30, 2020 • 58min

49 Behind the Yoshimoto Curtain: A Chat w. Comedian Stephen Tetsu

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're joined by Stephen Tetsu to discuss the Japanese comedy & entertainment industry, as well as his life as a comedian in the largest talent agency in Japan: Yoshimoto Kōgyō. About Stephen Tetsu Stephen Tetsu is an owarai geinin (comedian) who is part of Yoshimoto Kōgyō, the largest talent agency in Japan. Aside from performing manzai as part of his group Iruka Punch, Stephen has also worked on numerous projects for Yoshimoto, including translation and producing shows. Stephen produces and co-hosts the podcasts Small in Japan and Japanese History Junk Food. Topics Discussed The Netflix documentary What's Manzai?!!! and how Stephen got involved with it How it was that Stephen got into the comedy industry in Japan Stephen's life in comedy school in Japan The difficult life of a "young" comedian in Japan The challenge of finding the right comedy partner The good and bad of being a foreigner in the Japanese comedy industry The 2019 Yoshimoto scandal which involved comedians receiving under-the-table payments for performances they did for organized crime groups What manzai is The evolving nature of manzai How many Japanese comedians have been pushed to start producing content for YouTube due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic Takeshi Kitano's transition from comedian to movie director Comparing Japanese comedians to Western comedians What Stephen has enjoyed about being a comedian in Japan The frustration that comes with playing the stereotypical dumb foreigner character And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance! Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To listen to the Small in Japan podcast use the links below or look it up on your podcast app of choice. Small in Japan on Apple Podcasts Small in Japan on Google Podcasts Small in Japan on Libsyn To listen to the Japanese History Junk Food podcast use the links below or look it up on your podcast app of choice. Japanese History Junk Food on Apple Podcasts Japanese History Junk Food on Google Podcasts Japanese History Junk Food on Libsyn Check out Stephen's blog via the link below. Stephen Tetsu Blog Follow Stephen Tetsu on Twitter. @STEPHEN_TETSU To read Stephen's article about manzai, check out the link below. So What the Heck Is Manzai Anyways? To learn more about the massive yamieigyō scandal that rocked Yoshimoto in 2019, you may want to check out the article below. Five things to know about the scandal enveloping top Japanese comedy agency Yoshimoto Kogyo To listen to episode two of Japan Station, use the link below. How To Become A Comedian in Japan (Ann Lethin) | Japan Station 02 To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. Why does to "nyan nyan" mean "to have sex" in Japanese? (Japanese Cat Idioms) | Ichimon Japan 25 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Stephen Tetsu Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Sep 15, 2020 • 1h 1min

48 Pregnancy & Marriage in Low-Fertility Japan (Dr. Amanda C. Seaman)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're exploring beliefs and traditions surrounding pregnancy in Japan, as well as how ideas about marriage have evolved in Japan since the Edo period. We also take a detour into the world of NES era game localization. About Dr. Amanda C. Seaman Dr. Amanda C. Seaman is a professor of Japanese language and literature and the Associate Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is the author of Writing Pregnancy in Low-Fertility Japan and Bodies of Evidence. Topics Discussed How Dr. Seaman became interested in researching the ideas and culture surrounding pregnancy in Japan Japanese women's detective fiction Yumi Matsuo's book Balloon Town no Satsujin (Murder in Balloon Town) What a haraobi (bellyband) are used for Shungicu Uchida Negative views/ideas surrounding pregnancy in Japan How Buddhism and Shinto have shaped ideas around pregnancy in Japan Menstruation as kegare Spiritual possession during childbirth and The Tale of Genji Giving birth during the Edo period Why it was preferred to give birth to a smaller baby The changing perspectives on marriage in Japan that emerged int he 1960s Ideas surrounding marriage in the Edo period The role the marriage of Crown Price Akihito played in shaping views on marriage in Japan What women in Japan look for in a marriage partner and how priorities have changed over the last several decades The idea that women should stay silent during childbirth The idea that woemn in Japan should not gain more than 10 kg during their pregnancy The reluctance of Japanese doctors to perform C-sections Midwives in Japan Japan's decreasing birthrate The 1.57 shock Attempts made by the Japanese government to increase Japan's birthrate and get Japanese fathers more involved in child rearing Labor pain as a demonstration of how much a mother is willing to endure for their child The idea that pregnant Japanese women should avoid food of foreign origin Working for Fuji Sankei and localizing NES games Working with Nintendo on scripts for NES games And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. If you would like to purchase Writing Pregnancy in Low-Fertility Japan, please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below. It won't cost you anything extra and it supports the show. Writing Pregnancy in Low-Fertility Japan As for Devouring Japan, you can purchase it using the Amazon affiliate link below. Devouring Japan: Global Perspectives on Japanese Culinary Identity To listen to the soba noodles episode of Japan Station, use the link below. The Delicious World of Soba Noodles (Dr. Lorie Brau) | Japan Station 36 Use the link below to listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan. Does "hai" mean "bye" in Japanese? (The many ways to say "goodbye" in Japanese) | Ichimon Japan 24 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Amanda C. Seaman Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Sep 4, 2020 • 55min

47 Working & Teaching in Japan (James from The Inside Japan Podcast)

On this very special episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're joined by James from ALTInsider.com and The Inside Japan Podcast. James offers some advice for those looking to work in Japan and interviews Tony about his career and time in Japan. About The Inside Japan Podcast The Inside Japan Podcast is the only podcast on the internet telling you the true inside information about what working in Japan is really like, and how you can find your first, or next awesome job in Japan yourself. Interviews with employers, foreigners doing interesting things, and job hunting/hopping strategies are just some of the things we will cover on the weekly show. Topics Discussed James' advice for those looking to go to Japan How the English teacher job market n Japan has become more competitive over the past couple decades The rising requirements for landing a university teaching job in Japan How James got his translation job What to do when you are frustrated with your school about being underutilized Competitive speedrun commentating How Tony got interested in Japan Tony's time on the JET Program The good and bad of Tony's time on JET What it was like working at a school for the blind in Japan Life after JET How doing JapanKyo turned out to help Tony career-wise Teaching Japanese in Florida Tony's advice for those teaching English in Japan About JapanKyo.com and the Japan Station podcast What led to the start of Japan Station Working at Wasabi magazine And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. To listen to The Inside Japan Podcast, look it up on your podcast app of choice or use the links below. The Inside Japan Podcast on Apple Podcasts The Inside Japan Podcast on Google Podcasts The Inside Japan Podcast on Stitcher If you want more information on working and teaching in Japan, then make sure to stop by ALTInsider.com. ALTInsider.com You can also find ALTInsider on social media. ALTInsider on Twitter ALTInsider on Facebook ALTInsider on Instagram ALTInsider on YouTube James also does competitive speedrun commentating. If you're interested in checking that out, hit the link below. Thabeast721 vs iiPK | Grand Finals | GSA SMM2 Expert Mode Speedrun League Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of James/ALTInsider.com Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Sep 1, 2020 • 1h 26min

46 How I Became a Voice Actor in Japan (Reina)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we learn what it's like going to school in Japan to become a seiyū (voice actor). About Reina (麗) Reina is a professional voice actor living in Tokyo. While originally from the U.K., Reina went to Japan with the intent of becoming a seiyū (voice actor). Her quest to enter the voice acting industry in Japan led her to attend a two year voice acting school in Tokyo. Since graduating Reina has done both voice acting and stage acting in Japan. Currently, Reina is working on a project called Anigorin. The aim of Anigorin is to create an original anime short in order to promote cross-cultural understanding and offer unique working experiences to creatives from both Japan and abroad. Topics Discussed What "Jiko PR" is What the audition process in the Japanese voice acting industry is like How Fist of the North Star blew Reina's mind (figuratively) and helped spark her interest in anime The problem with copying the language heard in anime when trying to learn Japanese What it's like attending a Japanese school for aspiring voice actors What is taught and what classes are offered at a Japanese voice acting school Performing voice acting live What kind of works/materials are used in Japanese voice acting school The importance of understanding the subtleties of kanji when reviewing a script for a performance Mastering Japanese pitch accent and intonation Over the top stereotypical depictions of foreigners speaking Japanese in anime What bidakuon (鼻濁音) is What Anigorin is What the Anigorin project hopes to achieve The challenges of the Anigorin project The importance of nakama and believing in each other Making it through the coronavirus pandemic And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. For more information on Reina or Anigorin, make sure to check out the links below. Reina Website Reina on Facebook Reina on Twitter Reina on Instagram Anigorin Website (Coming Soon as of 9/1/20) Anigorin on Instagram Anigorin on Twitter Anigorin on Facebook To read the Japan Times article about Reina that was mentioned at the beginning of the interview, check out the link below. Londoner finds her voice on the Tokyo stage Reina attended the Tokyo School of Anime. For more information on this school, check out the link below. FYI: it appears that the school has changed its name to Tokyo School of Anime & E-Sports (東京アニメ・声優&eスポーツ専門学校). Tokyo School of Anime & E-Sports To check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, check out the link below. Why are school rules in Japan so strict? (All About Kōsoku) | Ichimon Japan 23 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Reina Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Aug 15, 2020 • 1h 6min

45 The Fascinating Life of Stand-Up Comedian Shuhei "Shoe" Murakami

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, stand-up comedian Shuhei "Shoe" Murakami stops by to talk about how he went from almost dropping out of high school to performing stand-up comedy in English in Canada and the U.S. About Shuhei "Shoe" Murakami Shuhei "Shoe" Murakami is a stand-up comedian and actor from Tokyo. Currently Murakami is based in Toronto, Canada but he has also performed stand-up comedy in New York and Japan. Topics Discussed How Shoe struggled academically in high school How listening to and performing English-language music by bands like the Beatles helped Shoee learn English Studying English literature in a Japanese university Traveling in Southeast Asia after graduating from college How Shoe lost all his money due to a blackjack scam in Cambodia How Shoe made a life for himself in Cambodia after getting scammed out of his money Managing Sharky Bar in Cambodia and learning how to deal with the clientele The challenges of running a bar in Cambodia as a young Japanese man Starting his own bar The difficulties Shoe faced when trying to find a job in Japan How Shoe discovered stand-up comedy while in Japan Why Shoe decided to move to Canada Shoe's realization that he needed to become more comfortable on stage Performing stand-up comedy in Canada and New York Getting work as an actor in Canada Getting to perform on the Asian Comedy All-Stars show in Toronto And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. You can find Shuhei "Shoe" Murakami on the following platforms. Standup Comedian Shoe Murakami YouTube Channel Shoe Murakami on Instagram Shoe Murakami on Facebook To learn more about Shoe's time in Cambodia and the scam that resulted in him losing his money, check out the article below. Bad Times to Good (The Cambodia Daily) Use the link below to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan. How do you create fake kanji? (From Ghost Kanji to Kokuji) | Ichimon Japan 22 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Shuhei "Shoe" Murakami Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Aug 1, 2020 • 48min

44 From Nintendo to Hello Kitty, Chatting About Japanese Pop Culture w. Matt Alt

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, localizer and author Matt Alt stops by to discuss the influence Japanese pop culture has had on the world. About Matt Alt Matt Alt is a localizer of Japanese games and manga. Together with Hiroko Yoda he founded the localization company AltJapan and has authored multiple books on Japanese folklore and history. Matt's latest book was published in June of 2020 by Crown and is titled Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World.Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World. Topics Discussed Localization and how the industry has evolved over the past few decades Matt Alt's experience learning Japanese in high school How Matt almost got to meet Osamu Tezuka Anime in the U.S. in the '70s, '80s, and '90s The kawaii aesthetic of Super Mario and other classic video games from Japan Visiting Sony's extensive archives The popularity and influence of Sanrio's Hello Kitty How it was that Matt came to work on his well-known book Yokai Attack! The increasing adoption of the term yokai over the past couple decades Using one's dissatisfaction with translations as motivation to learn Japanese And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. You can purchase Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World via the Amazon affiliate link below. Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World by Matt Alt If you're interested in any of Matt Alt's other books, please consider using the affiliate links below in order to support Japan Station. Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide (Yokai ATTACK! Series) by Matt Alt & Hiroko Yoda Yurei Attack!: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide (Yokai ATTACK! Series) by Matt Alt & Hiroko Yoda Ninja Attack!: True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws (Yokai ATTACK! Series) by Matt Alt & Hiroko Yoda You can follow Matt Alt on Twitter. @Matt_Alt To learn more about AltJapan, visit their website via the link below. AltJapan Website Here is Matt Alt's Tofugu.com interview article. An Interview with Matt Alt: Translation, Localization, and other Nice Japanese Things To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below. What's so scary about the hour of the ox? (About Ushi no Koku Mairi) | Ichimon Japan 21 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Matt Alt Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Jul 26, 2020 • 30min

Presenting Japanese Plus Alpha | I Stepped on the Etymology of "Neko" (The Cat Episode)

Japanese Plus Alpha is the latest podcast in the JapanKyo Podcast Network. Produced by Tony Vega, Japanese Plus Alpha focuses on the Japanese language and its many fascinating quirks. The show is designed as a fun way to learn about the Japanese language while at the same time gaining insight into Japanese history, culture, linguistics, and more. In other words, Japanese Plus Alpha is great for both those studying the Japanese language and those who enjoy learning about the world through language. Currently, Japanese Plus Alpha is available only via the JapanKyo.com Patreon. To get access to more episodes of Japanese Plus Alpha, just join the $3 a month Plus Alpha tier. This is episode 2 of Japanese Plus Alpha. It focuses on the origins of the word "neko," which means cat in Japanese. Hope you enjoy it. Join the JapanKyo.com Patreon (@JapanKyo.com/Patreon)
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Jul 15, 2020 • 53min

43 Talking Translation w. Sarah Moon

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Sarah Moon teaches us a bit about what it's like being a translator of anime and games. About Sarah Moon Sarah Moon is a professional translator (Japanese to English) who has experience localizing both video games and anime. On YouTube Sarah manages two channels: Sarah Moon and Sarah Loves Food. Her videos on Sarah Moon focus on teaching Japanese, what it's like being a translator, and the Japanese language. On Sarah Loves Food, Sarah focuses on cooking and general food-related content. Topics Discussed The various ways one can translate the word aho The tendency of beginning Japanese learners to think they know more than they actually know Some of the assets and procedures involved in translating anime and games to English Literal translations versus localized translations How translators deal with original terms/words and character names Whether AI might be eliminating the need for anime translators What simulcast anime translation is and how it is done The "high context" nature of the Japanese language Sarah's food focused YouTube channel And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. You can find Sarah Moon on all of the platforms below. Sarah Moon YouTube Channel Sarah Moon on Twitter Sarah Moon on Facebook Sarah Moon's Facebook Group for Aspiring Translators Sarah Moon on Etsy Sarah Loves Food YouTube Channel You can use the link below to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan. This episode is focused on the city of Osaka. What are your favorite places to visit in Osaka? | Ichimon Japan 20 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Sarah Moon Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Jun 30, 2020 • 1h 1min

42 A History of Modern Japan (Dr. Christopher Harding)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we explore the history of modern Japan with Dr. Christopher Harding. About Dr. Christopher Harding Dr. Christopher Harding is a cultural historian of Japan and India, journalist, and a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. His latest book, published by Tuttle Publishing, was released in June of 2020 and is titled A History of Modern Japan: In Search of a Nation: 1850 to the Present. Dr. Harding is currently working on his next book, The Japanese: A History in Twenty Lives, which is slated to be published in November of 2020 by Penguin Random House. Topics Discussed What "picture brides" are The experiences of picture brides in Hawaii The rabbit craze of 1973 that Japan experienced The popularity of things from the West during the Meiji period The introduction of beef to Japan Meiji era ideas about marrying Westerners Censorship in Japanese movies following World War II The pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi The challenges of writing a book that covers such an extensive period of Japanese history The shifting significance of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Books that Christopher Harding is currently working on And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. A History of Modern Japan: In Search of a Nation: 1850 to the Present can be purchased using the Amazon affiliate link below. A History of Modern Japan: In Search of a Nation: 1850 to the Presenby Christopher Harding You can find more information on Christopher Harding and his work on his website. Christopher Harding Website You can also follow Christopher Harding on Twitter. Christopher Harding on Twitter If you're interested in checking out some of the work that Christopher Harding has done for BBC Radio, then go to the pages linked below. The first link is for the story that was mentioned in the outro of this episode of Japan Station. It focuses on the prevalence of ghost stories after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The second link is for a story focusing on the misconceptions that many in the West have about Japan. Both are excellent and totally worth a listen. Supernatural Japan on BBC Radio Misunderstanding Japan on BBC Radio To learn more about the Hawaii Okinawa Center and the bronze statue of Kyuzo Toyama mentioned during this episode, visit the page linked below. Hawaii Okinawa Center Episode 41 of Japan Station featuring the rakugo performer Shinoharu Tatekawa can be accessed via the link below. Rakugo Performer Shinoharu Tatekawa | Japan Station 41 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Photo by Mark Allan. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com
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Jun 15, 2020 • 1h 1min

41 Rakugo Performer Shinoharu Tatekawa

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're joined by master rakugo performer Shinoharu Tatekawa. About Shinoharu Tatekawa Shinoharu Tatekawa is a professional rakugo (traditional Japanese comedic storytelling) performer. He apprenticed under the well-known and highly respected rakugo master Shinosuke Tatekawa. In addition to performing rakugo in Japanese, Shinoharu also has extensive experience performing in English both in Japan and internationally. In April of 2020 Shinoharu was promoted to the shinuchi level, which is the top level a rakugo performer can achieve. Shinoharu likes cats, karaage, and kendama. Topics Discussed Shinoharu Tatekawa's promotion to the shinuchi rank What the three ranks of rakugo are How Shinoharu Tatekawa became interested in rakugo Shinoharu Tatekawa's love of sumo and the famous sumo wrestler Chiyonofuji Why Shinoharu Tatekawa became interested in Japanese culture and history during college Why Shinoharu Tatekawa decided to study Chinese history during college Why rakugo masters are so strict on their apprentices How Japanese pronouns are useful storytelling device for rakugo performers A story about McDonald's The first time Shinoharu Tatekawa performed for an audience How Shinoharu Tatekawa's extensive time in the United States may have been a hindrance during his time as a rakugo apprentice And much more! Support on Patreon If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get access to extra blog posts and additional input on future content. You'd also receive Tony's eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude. Support Japan Station on Patreon Links, Videos, Etc. For more information on Shinoharu Tatekawa you can visit his website. This is the best place to find information on his shows. Shinoharu Tatekawa Website You can find videos of Shinoharu Tatekawa's performances (both English and Japanese) on his YouTube channel. Shinoharu Tatekawa on YouTube You can find Shinoharu Tatekawa on Twitter. Shinoharu Tatekawa on Twitter Shinoharu Tatekawa's English-language radio show/podcast is called Rakugo: Traditional Style Japanese Comedy and was produced by Tokyo FM. It can be found via the links below or wherever you get your podcasts. Rakugo: Traditional Style Japanese Comedy on Tokyo FM Rakugo: Tradition Style Japamese Comedy on Apple Podcasts Rakugo: Traditional Style Japanese Comedy on Google Podcasts Shinoharu Tatekawa's Japanese-language podcast is called Kyokkai Tōben (曲解答弁). Check it out via the links below. Kyokkai Tōben on Apple Podcasts Kyokkai Tōben on Google Podcasts Use the link below to purchase a ticket to Shinoharu Tatekawa's live stream rakugo show on June 16th, 2020 (8:30 - 9:30 pm JST). This show will be live streamed from a theater in Shinjuku and it will be Shinoharu's first live performance since being promoted to the shinuchi rank. Tickets cost 1,500 yen and the show will be live streamed on Vimeo. Purchase tickets on Peatix To listen to the Japan Station episode featuring rakugo performer Showko Showfukutei, use the link below. Japan Station 05: Rakugo Performer, Ventriloquist & Comedian Showko Showfukutei Use the link below to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan and learn about why so many Japanese people visit Hawaii. Why do Japanese people love Hawaii so much? | Ichimon Japan 17 Special Thanks Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel. Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R. Featured image: Courtesy of Shinoharu Tatekawa Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes Get full show notes at www.japanstationpodcast.com

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