Japanology Plus

Season 7, Episode 9

Episode Title: Japanophiles: Johan Nilsson Bjoerk

Air Date: 2020-08-04

Overview:

Rakugo is a traditional form of storytelling that emerged in 17th century Japan. Using minimal props, a single performer creates amusing and sometimes moving scenes featuring multiple characters. Johan Nilsson Bjoerk, from Sweden, is one of Japan's very few foreign Rakugo professionals. In a Japanophiles interview, he tells Peter Barakan about the artform. He also talks about his 4 years as an apprentice to the veteran performer Sanyutei Koraku.