Katsura Sunshine: The Canadian rakugo performer bringing Japan’s comic storytelling tradition to the world

Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian rakugoka — a traditional Japanese comic storyteller — will perform a one-night-only solo show at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Credit: Yumi Oba

Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian rakugo performer, is set to take the stage for a one-night-only show at the Sydney Comedy Festival. He has performed rakugo across Japan, on Broadway in New York, and in countries around the world — but this will be his first time appearing at a comedy festival. What inspired him to enter this traditional world of storytelling? We spoke to him about his training under master Katsura Bunshi, and what makes rakugo so captivating.

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Published 1 May 2025 8:46am

By Yumi Oba

Source: SBS

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Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian rakugo performer, is set to take the stage for a one-night-only show at the Sydney Comedy Festival. He has performed rakugo across Japan, on Broadway in New York, and in countries around the world — but this will be his first time appearing at a comedy festival. What inspired him to enter this traditional world of storytelling? We spoke to him about his training under master Katsura Bunshi, and what makes rakugo so captivating.

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