Rokyoku performance｜Places to enjoy the sounds of Japanese instruments
What is Rokyoku?
Rokyoku（浪曲）, also known as Naniwabushi（浪花節）, is a form of entertainment that began in the early Meiji period (1868-1912) in which a story is told to the accompaniment of the shamisen. Rokyoku began as a form of street performance based on Buddhist teachings and other stories sung in verse, as well as congratulatory songs dedicated to the gods and Buddha. Toward the end of the Edo period, Rokyoku was performed in Yose theaters（Traditional Japanese variety theater, where various forms of performing arts）.
With records spread in the Meiji period (1868-1912) and radio broadcasts in the late Taisho period (1912-1926), Rokyoku spread throughout the country. The early Showa period (1926-1989) was the golden age of Rokyoku. The biggest star of the time was Torazo Hirosawa II, who performed "Shimizu Jirocho Den" (Biography of Shimizu Jirocho, whose real name was Chōgorō Yamamoto (1820–1893), is one of the most famous yakuza figures in Japanese history ). It is said that when he appeared on the radio, people disappeared from the streets. Also, unusually for a traditional Japanese art form, female performers were active in Rokyoku.
Structure of a Rokyoku
Each story in a Rokyoku lasts about 30 minutes and can be a complete story or a full-length drama. The performer tells the story in the form of Fushi（節） and Tanka（啖呵）.
Fushi refers to the melodic component of Rokyoku. It is the part where the narrator conveys emotion and atmosphere by singing or chanting in a specific tune. Fushi is used to express the emotions of characters and scenes through changes in pitch, intonation, and rhythm, helping to create a deep emotional connection with the audience.
Tanka is the more rhythmic, fast-paced dialog or monologue part of Rokyoku. Unlike Fushi, Tanka focuses less on melody and more on the rapid delivery of words. It is used to express tension, anger, or determination, often in a sharp, forceful manner, and serves to build intensity within the narrative.
These two elements, Fushi and Tanka, work together to create the dynamic storytelling style of Rōkyoku, blending melodic expression with spoken drama to captivate the audience.
The role of the shamisen
The shamisen player in a Rokyoku performance is called a Kyokushi (曲師). The shamisen is more than an accompaniment. The shamisen player on stage does not face the audience, but always looks at the Rokyoku master's mouth. The performance is captivating only when the Rokyoku master and the shamisen player are perfectly in sync. For this reason, some Rokyoku masters choose a specific shamisen player to work with exclusively.
How to see Rokyoku
Mokubatei（Asakusa）
2-7-5 Asakusa Taito-ku , Tokyo
>> Click Here
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