What is Rakugo?

Rakugo is a kind of traditional performing art in Japan. It is a comedy performed by one person wearing a kimono and sitting down in seiza on a zabuton. The performer called the hanashika tells a funny story through a single-handed dialogue. Most rakugo consist of more than two characters; therefore, the hanashika must be able to distinguish each of them. This is done by changing voice, facial expressions, gestures and manners of speech. All rakugo stories end with an ochi as jokes with a punch line.