Katsura Kobunshi

... In Tokyo as of 1985, the Rakugo Association includes the master of comical rakugo, Yanagiya Kosan 5, the new storyteller San'yutei Enka 3 (1929- ), the delicate and elegant Kokontei Shincho 2 (1938- ), the popular comical rakugo performer Tachibanaya Enzo 8 (1934- ), and the airy and unique Yanagiya Kosanji 10 (1939- ). The Art Association includes the bright and new storyteller Katsura Yonemaru 4 (1925- ), the airy and charming new storyteller Shunputei Ryusho 3 (1920- ), and the airy and unique Katsura Bunji 10. Other members include the school of San'yutei Enraku 5 (1933- ), the school of Tatekawa Danshi 5 (1936- ), and the like. ), but the disappearance of such masters as Shincho and Bunraku leaves a large hole. Meanwhile, in the Kamigata area today, following on from veterans such as Shofutei Shokaku VI, Katsura Beicho 3rd, Katsura Shundanji 3rd, and Katsura Kobunshi 3rd (1939-), young comedians such as Katsura Sanshi (1943-), Katsura Shijaku 2nd (1939-), and Katsura Bunchin (1949-) are gaining nationwide popularity, and despite the unfavorable conditions of a lack of vaudeville halls suited to rakugo, they continue to work hard to revive Kamigata rakugo. Nowadays, in addition to vaudeville halls, study group-style "hall rakugo" gatherings are popular, and rakugo study groups at universities and high schools continue to be active, but the times are changing so dramatically that the traditional world of rakugo cannot be contained within it, and because rakugo is a popular art form that must connect directly with the masses, the road ahead is a difficult one.

*Some of the terminology explanations that refer to "Katsura Kobunshi" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…　1985年現在の東京には，〈落語協会〉に，滑稽噺の名手5代柳家小さん，新作の3代三遊亭円歌(1929‐　)，繊細で粋な2代古今亭志ん朝(1938‐　)，滑稽噺の人気者8代橘家円蔵(1934‐　)，飄逸な個性の10代柳家小三治(1939‐　)らがおり，〈芸術協会〉に，明朗な新作の4代桂米丸（よねまる）(1925‐　)，飄々たる妙味の新作の3代春風亭柳昇(1920‐　)，滑稽噺の10代桂文治らがおり，ほかに5代三遊亭円楽(1933‐　)一門，5代立川談志(1936‐　)一門などがあるが，志ん生，文楽などを筆頭にした名人上手の消えた穴は大きい。　一方，同じく現在の上方は，6代笑福亭松鶴（しよかく），3代桂米朝（べいちよう），3代桂春団治，3代桂小文枝（こぶんし）(1939‐　)などのベテランにつづいて，桂三枝(1943‐　)，2代桂枝雀（しじやく）(1939‐　)，桂文珍（ぶんちん）(1949‐　)などの若手が全国的な人気を集め，落語向きの寄席がないという悪条件のなかで，上方落語復興に精進をつづけている。　現在では，寄席のほかに研究会形式の〈ホール落語〉会も盛んで，大学や高校の落語研究会も活発な活動をつづけているが，時代の動きが従来の落語の世界におさまらないほどに激変しつづけ，しかも大衆と直結しなければならない大衆芸能であるだけに，落語の行く道はけわしい。…

※「桂小文枝」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

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