This multi-generational epic dives deep into rakugo, a rich form of Japanese storytelling theater. Small-time crook Yotaro has never forgotten the rakugo tale "The God of Death," which the master Yurakutei Yakumo performed for Yotaro during his time in prison. After his release, he goes to Yakumo's theater and pleads to be made his apprentice. Yakumo reluctantly accepts, but Yotaro quickly finds the world of rakugo is complex and grapples with a growing bond with Yakumo's ward, Konatsu. Meanwhile, the two young people bring reminders of Yakumo’s own inescapable past. (Source: Kodansha USA) Note: Won the 38th Kodansha Manga Awards for Best General Manga and the New Creator Prize of the 21st Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2017.
Japanese study overview
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a Japanese manga of 181,729 characters, with 11,100 unique words and 1,850 different kanji. Its difficulty rating on Jiten is hard, 3.9 out of 5. The full vocabulary list ranks all 11,100 words by how often they appear, and you can study them on Jiten or download them as an Anki deck.
Vocabulary highlights
Here are some of the words that appear most often in this media, as well as a sample of its rarer vocabulary.
- 落語rakugo×516
- 師匠master×388
- 八雲Yakumo×302
- 言うto say×279
- 助六Sukeroku×200
- 事thing×194
- お前you×190
- 思うto think×186
- 人person×179
- お前さんyou×169
- 聞くto hear×168
- 俺I×160
- 与太郎Yotarō×151
- 小夏Konatsu×117
- 寄席entertainment hall (for rakugo, manzai, magic, music, etc.)×96
- 松田Uirane×78
- 比古Hiko×62
- 与太idle talk×51
- 真打main performer×51
- 高座platform×42