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Yanagiya Kosanji (10th)

やなぎや こさんじ

Yanagiya Kosanji (10th)

Aliases: 郡山 剛藏（本名） / 柳家小たけ / 柳家さん治
Pen Names: Dosa（Haiku pen name (Tokyo Yanagi Haiku Circle)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1939-12-17 （Kashiwagi 3-chome, Yodobashi, Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (now Kita-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo)）
Died
2021-10-07 （Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan） age 81
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Religion
Jodo Shinshu (Jōdo Shinshū) （Baptismal Name: Shōdōin Shaku Gōyū）
Residence History
Born in Kashiwagi, Yodobashi (now Kita-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo), Japan → Later life and place of death: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Rakugo performer, Actor, Essayist
Active Years
1959-2021
Affiliations
Rakugo Kyokai (Rakugo Association), Yanagiya Kosanji Office (Office 532), Tokyo Yanagi Haiku Circle
Memberships
Rakugo Kyokai (Rakugo Association)
Influenced By
Yanagiya Kosan (5th generation) — mentor, Sanyūtei Enshō (6th generation), Katsura Beichō (3rd generation)
Influenced
Yanagiya Shimeji, Yanagiya Hanji, Yanagiya Fukujī, 7th Ryūtei Enji (Ryūtei Enji, 7th), Yanagiya Kintaifu, Yanagiya Ikkin, Yanagiya Sansan, Yanagiya San'nosuke, Yanagiya Kohachi

Education

Tokyo Metropolitan Aoyama High School
Period: 〜1958年（卒業）
Year of Graduation: 1958
Country: Japan
Graduated high school in 1958. Failed the Tokyo Gakugei University entrance exam and chose to pursue a career as a rakugo performer.

Awards

Broadcast Entertainment Award
1976
Organization: Broadcast Entertainment Award
Result: 受賞
Geijutsu Sensho (Arts Encouragement Prize) - Newcomer Award
1981
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Geijutsu Sensho)
Result: 受賞
Geijutsu Sensho — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2004
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Medal with Purple Ribbon
2005
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure)
2014
Work: Rakugo
Category: 保持者
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 認定
Order of the Rising Sun, Small Gold and Silver Rays
2014
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Mainichi Art Award
2015
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Honorary Citizen of Shinjuku Ward
2015
Organization: Shinjuku Ward
Result: 選定
Asahi Prize
2019
Organization: Asahi Shimbun
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Shinigami (The Death God)

Rakugo

A classical rakugo story treating death with comedy and humanity. It revolves around a shinigami (death spirit) and explores life, death and wit.

life and deathhuman feelinghumor

Nozarashi

Rakugo

A rakugo tale themed on travel and wandering; it humorously depicts the fleeting nature of life and human relationships.

journeyjoys and sorrows of lifehumanity

Hyakugawa

Rakugo

A story interweaving human relationships, misunderstandings and nuances of feeling; known as one of Kosanji's repertoire pieces.

humanitymisunderstandingcomic depiction

Bibliography

  • Makura (Talks / 'Makura')
  • More Makura
  • Ba-i-ku (Bike)
  • Where Shall I Begin? — Autobiography of Yanagiya Kosanji
  • Kosanji: Famous Performances
  • Yanagiya Kosanji's Rakugo (3 vols.)
  • Yanagiya Kosanji Selected Solo Performances (CD/DVD)

Adaptations

  • Documentary film 'Kosanji' (2009, director: 康宇政)
  • Television documentaries (NHK's 'Professional', etc.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
an easygoing, unhurried deliverycurt but fluent storytellingmasterful use of introductions (makura)
Recurring Motifs
details of everyday lifehuman warmthtechniques that elicit spontaneous audience laughter

Health

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (affected both wrists)
    50代頃から
    Developed rheumatoid arthritis around his early 50s (affecting both wrists), which ended his motorcycle riding and affected daily activities; he continued performing.
  • Heart failure (cause of death)
    2021年10月（突然死）
    Died of heart failure on 7 October 2021.

Legacy

Yanagiya Kosanji (10th) inherited the Yanagiya comedic tradition from his master (5th Yanagiya Kosan), served as a director and chairman of the Rakugo Association, and was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) in 2014. He became a major figure in Tokyo rakugo, famous for his introductions (makura) and for training many disciples.

Academic Societies

  • Tokyo Yanagi Haiku Circle

Archives

  • Yanagiya Kosanji official website (archived)
  • NHK Personal Records (Yanagiya Kosanji)

In Popular Culture

  • Documentary 'Kosanji' (2009), NHK specials and various memorial TV programs
  • Featured on programs such as 'Professional' and 'Jounetsu Tairiku'

Quotes

  • Rakugo is inherently funny; if performed properly the audience will laugh. It should not be forced.
    Source: Interview / remarks at the time of Living National Treasure designation (summary) (2014)

Trivia

  • His initial stage name was 'Kotake'; as a futatsume he used 'Sanji'.
  • Haiku pen name was 'Dosa' and he belonged to the Tokyo Yanagi Haiku Circle.
  • In his youth he was an avid motorcyclist and a member of the touring group 'Tentomushi'.
  • Known as 'Makura no Kosanji' (master of introductions) for his skillful makura.
  • Designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) in 2014.