A MASTER STORYTELLER!
~The New York Times
THE KING OF KIMONO COMEDY!
~REUTERS
BRILLIANT!
~Theatre Scene, New York
SO MUCH FUN!
~WBAI Radio, New York
BASK IN THE WARMTH OF A MASTER STORYTELLER!
~The New York Times
SUNSHINE HAD ME
IN STITCHES!
~Reuters, New York
BEAUTIFUL AND SIMPLE!
~Times Square Chronicle
CHARMING!
~BROADWAY WORLD
EASY TO LOVE!
~Theater Pizzazz, New York
DROP DEAD FUNNY!
~Metropolis, Tokyo
HILARIOUS!
~Camden New Journal
London
MASTERFUL!
~UK Anime Network
A RACONTEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE!
~The Japan Times
THE KING OF
KIMONO COMEDY!
~Reuters
SUNSHINE PLUCKS LAUGHTER WITH
RHYTHM AND TIMING FIT FOR AN ATHLETE!
~Nikkei Asian Review
THERE IS ONLY ONE SUNSHINE!
~The New Yorker
A ONE MAN SITCOM!
~CTV National, Canada
A SIGHT TO BEHOLD! TOO MUCH FUN!
~CBC Radio, Canada
AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE!
~Front Row Center, New York
BEGINNING TO END, THE PRODUCTION'S MIRTH IS CATCHING, WARM, FRIENDLY AND UNBURDENED, AS THOUGH EACH YARN IS LACED WITH A BIT OF SUNSHINE. TRADITIONAL STYLE WITH BUOYANT HUMOR AND PLAYFULNESS, BASKING IN THE WARMTH OF A MASTER STORYTELLER.
~The New York Times
CLICK HERE TO BE A STOP ON THE RAKUGO DIGITAL WORLD TOUR→
RAKUGO ON ZOOM:
Sunshine will perform live for your patrons or group on Zoom - from Sunshine Studios in Tokyo. Hosting a performance is easy. (Platforms other than Zoom also possible.)
PERFECT COMIC THEATER FOR THE TIMES
Rakugo is simple, light, comical, entertaining, but also deeply cultural at the same time. It is the perfect entertainment to present in a live digital setting.
LIVE Q&A
ZOOM performances also provide the perfect forum to ask Sunshine about Rakugo, Japan, Broadway, or anything else. This aspect of the performance has been super popular at every stop of the World Tour so far!
HOW DO I HOST?
Simple.
Send us an email and we will take care of everything!
Our email address is:
Or just click this icon →
KATSURA SUNSHINE
JAPANESE COMIC STORYTELLING
BROADWAY AND BEYOND
NEW YORK LONG RUN:
Rakugo ran for six months at the New World Stages theater complex and is scheduled to resume performances as soon as Broadway re-opens.
REVIEWS AND PRESS:
Rakugo received universally positive reviews from the New York media, including the New York Times, The New Yorker, and Reuters.
BEST UNIQUE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
Rakugo was nominated for Best Unique Theatrical Experience for the 2020 Off-Broadway Alliance Awards
G20 SUMMIT, OSAKA 2019
Sunshine served as bilingual MC for the opening reception of the G20 Summit in Osaka
OSAKA WORLD EXPO, 2025
Sunshine served as spokesman and ambassador for the successful bid to hold the 2025 world fair in Osaka. He received personal praise from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his contribution.
RAKUGO
JAPAN'S 400-YEAR LONG-RUNNING COMEDY!
THE TRADITION:
Rakugo is a 400-year-old tradition of comic storytelling in Japan. The stories have been passed down from master to apprentice aurally through the centuries.
THE MONOLOGUE:
Every Rakugo story is preceded by a comic monologue which consists of the individual storyteller’s own“material”, much like stand-up comedy.
THE APPRENTICESHIP:
In order to become a recognized professional Rakugo storyteller, one must apprentice to a Rakugo master. The apprenticeship lasts for three to four years, and is very strict, nearing indentured servitude.
Sunshine went to his Master's home every morning for 3 years, did laundry, cleaned, carried bags, folded kimonos, and watched and learned in the way that every Japanese apprentice has done for hundreds of years.
RAKUGO
WORLD TOUR
SCHEDULE
October 20, 2020 - Seattle, Town Hall
November 11, 2020 - Tokyo, English Speaking Society of Japan
November 13, 2020 - Nagoya, Kokusai Koryukai
November 14, 2020 - Orlando, Japan Festival
November 26, 2020 - Singapore, WAOJE International
December 4, 2020 - New York, Private Event
December 10, 2020 - Chicago, Japan America Society
December 11, 2020 - New York, Private Event
December 15, 2020 - New York, Japan Society
January 30, 2021 - Chicago Japanese Club
February 5, 2021 - Sosei Heptares, Tokyo
February 12, 2021 - Waseda University School of Business
February 19, 2021 - Japan Business Association of Southern California
February 24, 2021 - Dooley School Washington DC
February 25, 2021 - Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Japan
February 28, 2021 - Los Angeles (Private Performance)
March 3, 2021 - Tokyo, Yoshimoto Yurakucho Theatre
(LIVE IN THEATRE)
March 8, 2021 - CBRE Women's Network, Tokyo
April 1, 2021 - Shizuoka St. Croire, (Private Performance)
April 2, 2021 - Shizuoka St. Croire
(LIVE IN THEATRE)
April 3, 2021 - Tokyo, Yoshimoto Yurakucho Theatre
(LIVE IN THEATRE)
April 9, 2021 - Tokyo, Aoyama Treehouse
(LIVE IN THEATRE)
April 29, 2021 - London, London Business School
May 14, 2021 - Brooklyn NY, Aozora
May 15, 2021 - New York, Google/You Tube
May 15, 2021 - Tokyo, Amazon Japan
May 20, 2021 - New York, NEC America
June 3, 2021 - Tokyo, Yoshimoto Yurakucho Theatre
(LIVE IN THEATRE)
June 11-13, 2021 - Atlantic City, AnimeNEXT
August 8, 2021 - London, Hyper Japan
