Art Encouragement Prize for Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
1 appearances
-
Edition 74 (2024) award
Katsura Nankō (3rd)
かつら なんこう
Katsura Nankou
Pen Names:
Katsura Bekako（Stage name used after apprenticeship (1970–1993). Nicknamed "Bekachan" during this period.）,
Katsura Yonekako（Briefly used stage name immediately after entering apprenticeship (1970).）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1951-12-08 （Chihayaakasaka, Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Residence History
- Shijonawate, Osaka (residence)
Career
- Occupations
- Rakugo performer, Entertainer, TV/radio host
- Active Years
- 1970-2025
- Affiliations
- Beicho Office
- Memberships
- Kansai Rakugo Association (member, 1970–1994)
- Influenced By
- 2nd-generation Katsura Shijaku, 3rd-generation Katsura Beicho
- Influenced
- 2nd-generation Katsura Nanten
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka Prefectural Imamiya Technical High School | — | — | — | 〜1970 | Japan |
Osaka Prefectural Imamiya Technical High School
Period:
〜1970
Year of Graduation:
1970
Country:
Japan
Appeared on broadcast programs while in high school; entered apprenticeship in 1970 after completing school.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Kansai Comedy Awards (Silver Prize) | — | — | Kansai Comedy Awards organizers | 銀賞 |
| 1981 | Asahi Newcomer Rakugo Contest | — | — | Asahi Broadcasting | 優勝 |
| 1982 | Nippon Broadcasting Entertainment Awards - Hope Prize (Excellence/Fighting Spirit) | — | — | Nippon Broadcasting-related | 受賞 |
| 1986 | Sakuya Konohana Prize | — | — | Osaka City | 受賞 |
| 1987 | Japan Broadcasting Entertainment Awards (Topic/Audience Award) | — | — | Broadcasting-related organization | 受賞 |
| 1988 | Kansai Comedy Awards (Gold Prize) | — | — | Kansai Comedy Awards organizers | 金賞 |
| 1990 | Osaka Civic Theater Award (Encouragement Prize) | — | — | Osaka Civic Theater | 奨励賞 |
| 1994 | Kansai Comedy Awards (Grand Prize) | — | — | Kansai Comedy Awards organizers | 大賞 |
| 2015 | Osaka City Citizens' Commendation (50th) | — | — | Osaka City | 表彰 |
| 2022 | Art Encouragement Prize by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Popular Performing Arts) | — | 大衆芸能部門 | Agency for Cultural Affairs / Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology | 受賞 |
Kansai Comedy Awards (Silver Prize)
1979
Organization:
Kansai Comedy Awards organizers
Result:
銀賞
Asahi Newcomer Rakugo Contest
1981
Organization:
Asahi Broadcasting
Result:
優勝
Nippon Broadcasting Entertainment Awards - Hope Prize (Excellence/Fighting Spirit)
1982
Organization:
Nippon Broadcasting-related
Result:
受賞
Sakuya Konohana Prize
1986
Organization:
Osaka City
Result:
受賞
Japan Broadcasting Entertainment Awards (Topic/Audience Award)
1987
Organization:
Broadcasting-related organization
Result:
受賞
Kansai Comedy Awards (Gold Prize)
1988
Organization:
Kansai Comedy Awards organizers
Result:
金賞
Osaka Civic Theater Award (Encouragement Prize)
1990
Organization:
Osaka Civic Theater
Result:
奨励賞
Kansai Comedy Awards (Grand Prize)
1994
Organization:
Kansai Comedy Awards organizers
Result:
大賞
Osaka City Citizens' Commendation (50th)
2015
Organization:
Osaka City
Result:
表彰
Art Encouragement Prize by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Popular Performing Arts)
2022
Category:
大衆芸能部門
Organization:
Agency for Cultural Affairs / Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Chiritotechin
Rakugo (Kansai style)A Kansai rakugo piece; one of Nankō's signature stories, known as a warm human-interest tale.
human emotionfamilycomedy
The Mysterious Tea Bowl
Rakugo (classic)A classic rakugo story performed in Nankō's repertoire.
traditionhumorhuman observation
NHK Kyō no Ryōri Series: Versatile! Okazu Base (co-authored)
2003 CookbookCo-authored with Yoshihiro Murata and others; includes recipes and culinary essays.
cookinglifestyle culture
Bibliography
- NHK Kyō no Ryōri Series: Versatile! Okazu Base (co-authored, 2003)
- NHK Kyō no Ryōri Series: Delicious Meals with Katsura Nankō (2004)
- THE Nankō (CD & DVD, 2008)
Adaptations
- Jarinko Chie (stage, 2025) - role: Oba-han
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Blunt speaking style with a characteristic coarse/dummy voicePacing and timing rooted in Kansai rakugo tradition
- Recurring Motifs
- human warmthOsaka-style comic deliveryreferences to jōruri and classical performing arts
Legacy
Based in Kansai rakugo, he achieved broad visibility on TV and radio, contributing to regional culture and popular performing arts; regarded as a central figure in his school and a mentor to younger performers.
In Popular Culture
- Considered a model for the character "Tanabe" in the manga "Gorillaman" serialized in Weekly Young Magazine.
- As a familiar TV/radio personality for decades, he influenced Kansai popular culture.
Quotes
-
"Seikatsu Warai Hyakka" was a program we built together with our viewers. I want to continue helping to make the world a little more harmonious."
Source: NHK "Variety Seikatsu Warai Hyakka" final episode (broadcast April 9, 2022) (2022)
Trivia
- Nicknamed "Bekachan" during the Bekako era; after taking the Nankō name, nicknamed "Nankoyan".
- Enjoys visual arts and has expressed a wish to live in Paris and produce lithographs after retirement.
- When appearing in commercials for "Sukiyanen" instant noodles, he once gave the product as a souvenir to audience members.