Overview
Sometimes described as "solo opera," Rokyoku was once Japan's most popular form of entertainment, with top performers among the richest people in the land. Rokyoku rose to prominence in the late 19th century, but the advent of TV triggered a rapid decline. Now young performers are revitalizing this storytelling art by incorporating English, rock and pop music, and even dance. Peter Barakan experiences rokyoku in both old and new styles. And in Plus One, Kyle Card tries giving a performance himself.
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10 - 1Kitchens January 12, 2023 -
10 - 2Satsumaimo: Sweet Potatoes February 09, 2023 -
10 - 3Dinosaurs March 02, 2023 -
10 - 4Japanophiles: Kyle Holzhueter March 23, 2023 -
10 - 5Camping April 13, 2023 -
10 - 6Male Aesthetics April 27, 2023 -
10 - 7Konnyaku May 11, 2023 -
10 - 8Japanophiles: Isabelle Sasaki May 25, 2023 -
10 - 9Ueno June 08, 2023 -
10 - 10Meteorological Data June 22, 2023 -
10 - 11Amami Oshima: Paradise Found July 06, 2023 -
10 - 12Amami Oshima: Shaped by Adversity July 13, 2023 -
10 - 13Japanophiles: Francesco Panto August 03, 2023 -
10 - 14Vacant Homes August 17, 2023 -
10 - 15Rokyoku: Musical Storytelling August 31, 2023 -
10 - 16Japanese Honeybees September 14, 2023 -
10 - 17Japanophiles: Martin Holman September 28, 2023 -
10 - 18Unused Fish October 12, 2023 -
10 - 19Garbage October 26, 2023 -
10 - 20Firefighting November 09, 2023 -
10 - 21Japanophiles: Benjamin Flatt November 23, 2023 -
10 - 22Izumo: Home of the Gods December 07, 2023 -
10 - 23Izumo: Land of the Supernatural December 14, 2023