Rakugo Performance (Traditional Japanese Storytelling)

Tozaburo Yanagiya was accepted as an apprentice of Rakugo master Gontaro Yanagiya III, in 1999. He was promoted to the highest rank of rakugo, Shin’uchi, in 2014.  He has performed in the Shoten Rakugo show, NHK’s “Katsura Bunchin no Engeizukan,” as well as in films including “Good Morning Show” and “Rakugo Story,” and in theater plays including “Monochro, Red Shinagawa, Blue Meguro” and more. He won the New Artist Award in Popular Entertainment, the 71st Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan National Arts Festival in 2016.

Tozaburo founded Rakugo Association of America in 2020 to transform "Japanese RAKUGO" into "Global RAKUGO" and bring smiles and Japanese culture to the world. He has performed all over North America and held a solo performance in New York City's Carnegie Hall in April of 2024 (Rakugo Association of America).

The first half of this performance will be done in English and the second half in Japanese with English subtitles. 

Directions to Crescent Underground Theater:

1. Enter Stiles College via the gates in front Sherkaan (next to the Yale Bookstore). For non-Yale guests, an usher will be present from 6:40pm to 7:20pm to let you in. If you arrive and there is no usher present, please email sophia.lee@yale.edu and dylan.siegel@yale.edu.
2. Follow the pathway down and enter the glass double doors. These doors are also locked, so you will need an usher to let you inside. 
3. Go straight and down the stairs
4. Follow signs to the theater.