Veteran rakugoka, led by Katsura Utamaro (70), had them rolling in the aisles last week, not in Tokyo or Osaka but in New York. The host of long-running NTV entertainment show “Shoten” and three others put on a performance of the traditional Japanese comedy in their own language for a full house of about 280 at the Japan Society in Manhattan. Thanks to his storytelling skill and with a little help from English subtitles on a screen behind him, Utamaru had the audience of Japanese and locals in stitches as he regaled them for 30 minutes with his story “Shirimochi”. “There were some foreign audience members who were laughing the whole time. It was great!”, he enthused. He was supported by Sanshotei Yumetaro (58), Sanshotei Charaku (64) and Hayashiya Imamaru (64). Rakugoka rely on just two props, a folding fan and a towel, as they sit seiza-style on a cushion and give their well-honed renditions of stories that often go back generations. Utamaru will visit Mexico next May with fellow performer Sanyutei Rakutaro (56), and in November he has a show scheduled in India.
• Former sumo Yokozuna Musashimaru (35) is to make his Hollywood debut in next year’s movie “Ocean’s 13” with George Clooney (45) and Brad Pitt (41). It is the first time for a member of the Sumo Council to appear in a movie. He and fellow former Grand Champion Akebono recently filmed a scene where they play themselves in their sumo heyday, fighting in a sumo basho (tournament) in Las Vegas. “It was fun,” said the Samao-born oyakata (stablemaster).
• Multiple Grammy award winner John Legend (27) will play his first ever Japan dates next January. Supporting his recently released second album, “Once Again”, he wil play Osaka’s Nanba Hatch (Jan. 10), Tokyo International Forum (Jan. 11) and Nagoya Diamond Hall (Jan. 13).