Owarai & Owarai Geinin | Very popular Japanese entertainment, Guided by Japanese webmaster !

What is ‘Owarai’ in Japan

‘Owarai’ is Japanese culture of comedy show. ‘Owarai Geinin’ means comedian who deliver ‘Owarai’ to people. ‘Owarai’ is very popular culture in Japan.

We can watch TV program of ‘Owarai’ almost every day. And we see ‘Owarai Geinin’ on TV, and various media.

In this article, I would like to introduce ‘Owarai’ and ‘Owarai Geinin’, as very popular culture, which is supported by people from children to elders.

Manzai by Manzai-si

quotation source : https://twitter.com/m1grandprix/status/1268131737663463424?s=21

Manzai is a kind of comedy by Manzai-si. It’s mainly with two persons, ‘Boke’ and ‘Tsukkomi’ on the stage. ‘Boke’ says funny things, then, ‘Tsukkomi’ correct it. The contest of Manzai, ‘M-1 grand prix (M-1) is held yearly.

Famous ‘Manzai-si’ in Japan

• Down Town (Since 1982, Mr. Matsumoto is Founder of M-1 Grand Prix)
• Nakagawa-ke (1992-, M-1 champion in 2001)
• Sandwichman (1998-, M-1 champion in 2007)
• Knights (2000- 3rd place of M-1 in 2008)
• Milkboy (2007-, M-1 champion in 2019)

Konto by Konto-si (Conte-si)

quotation source : https://twitter.com/iizuka03/status/1289463097724297218?s=21

Konto-si is comedians who make short comic play, called ‘Konto/Conte’ on stage with some small properties. It’s mainly by two or three persons. The contest, ‘King of conte’ is held once a year.

Famous ‘Konto-si’ in Japan

• Tokyo 03 (Since 2003, King of conte 2009)
• Robert (1998-, King of Conte 2011)
• Viking (1996-, King of Conte 2012)
• Chocolate Planet (2006-, 3rd place in King of Conte 2018)

Rakugo by Rakugo-ka

quotation source : https://www.shinbashi-enbujo.co.jp/contents/repo20181129.html

Rakuto is traditional entertainment in Japan. Rakuhoku-ka is an entertainer providing Rakugo, telling interesting story alone, with wearing Kimono as traditional item, and sitting on ‘Zabuton’.

Famous Rakugo-ka in Japan

• Katsura Bunsi (Honored Order of Rising Sun)
• Shofukutei Tsurube (also Actor / TV presenter)
• Tatekawa Shiraku (also TV presenter)
• Sanyutei Enraku
• Shunputei Shota

Various entertainment by Pin Geinin

quotation source : https://twitter.com/akira100p/status/1273574627416010752?s=21

‘Pin Geinin’ is a person who provide entertainment on stage alone, imitating, funny actions, picture cards, puppet, etc. it’s generally separated from Rakugo-japan.

Famous Pin Geinin in Japan

• Degawa Tetsuro (Humorous Reaction)
• Akira 100% (Funny Action)
• Hori (Imitation)
• Gekidan Hitori (drama action)
• Kano Eiko (Airhead)

Summary

In the end, I would like to summarize the points of this article as follows

Postscript

That’s all today.  
How was the content today ?

I really like Owarai Geinin, especially Manzai. My favorite ‘Manzai-si’ is ‘Knights’. If you have a opportunity to come to Japan, I would like to recommend you to try to see ‘Owarai Geinin’ in media.