{"id":26077,"date":"2020-03-25T17:56:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-25T17:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=26077"},"modified":"2024-03-21T12:15:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:15:57","slug":"comedy-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/25\/comedy-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Humour in Japan: Embracing the silly, the smart, and the surreal&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26077\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If travel teaches you anything, it\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that l<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">aughter is universal.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">best<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">things about<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wandering the world\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is finding yourself in situation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0where laughter transcends language.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0For example: two years ago<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, while in Japan,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I observed a solemn<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0religious<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0ceremony\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">take place<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. A monk was chanting monotonously before an altar, pouring\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">what was presumably<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">holy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0water from a bottle \u2013\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or at least, trying to. H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e couldn\u2019t get the cap off. The more he t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wisted and heaved at it<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the more it stuck. He passed it around the other monks \u2013 still chanting \u2013 but nobody could budge it. It wasn\u2019t long before they were stifling their laughter.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Watching the holy man giggling to himself while trying to retain composure was one of the purest, warmest things I\u2019ve witnessed while travelling<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 nothing builds empathy like a shared laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-26098 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1.jpg\" alt=\"comedy in japan\" width=\"1022\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Kamakura2-1-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1022px) 100vw, 1022px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">International\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">chortling<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But what of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japanese\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sense of humour<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">? While many other parts of the culture are increasingly familiar \u2013 technology, fashion, food and literature \u2013 little of their humour has made it to our shores. Do we share the same tastes? Would a westerner understand Japanese comedy? And, crucially, w<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ould a Japanese person laugh at\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Del<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0B<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">oy<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0falling through the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bar?<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fortunately, at our offices <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">we&#8217;re lucky to have many employees in Japanese\/Western relationships \u2013 the perfect people to shed some light on whether humour translates!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">*****<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cJapanese <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">humour<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is often a bit dry,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">very obvious<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and slapstick, especially on TV or in films. P<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">eople\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tend to take everything quite literally,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which is why British\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">humour<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0can be difficult to grasp<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ensitive issues are a no-go \u2013\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nothing on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">race<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sex, or any kind of dark\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">comedy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. There are lots of words that sound very similar in Japanese or have different meanings which could be made into a joke but when I mention these to my\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wife<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, she just says \u2013 they\u2019re different words, why would that be funny?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;If I try to make a funny comment in Japanese during conversation (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the same way I would<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0interject in English<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) I often get<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">oyajigagu<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as a response<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">means dad<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\/<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">old man joke).<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mark Johnson, Senior Travel Consultant<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559731&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cOne observation from my own partner is the joy and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">laughter<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">that Japanese people find in the physical pain of others (in game shows, not real life). I\u2019m always amazed to see my otherwise loving wife bent over in side-splitting<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">laughter<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at the sight of a J-celebrity testing their pain threshold on national TV. I love that Japanese people can appreciate good slapstick humour. I never saw much of this in the States growing up, so it\u2019s always refreshing and interesting for me, if not hilarious.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;The Japanese <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">language\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has so many similar sounding words, which makes it rife with possibilities for misunderstanding. I love when comedians take advantage of this<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, but it is very hard to translate. Perhaps that\u2019s another reason I enjoy it so much.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Japanese stand-up is so incredibly different to American stand-up. There are no Jerry <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Seinfields<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or Eddie\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Murphys<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0here, but rather groups or duos of comedians whose comedy is often skit-based. I don\u2019t know if you can find much in the way of subtitled \u2018<\/span><em>owarai<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019 (Japanese comedy) on YouTube, but if you can, please watch. It\u2019s brilliant!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Tyler Palma, Tokyo Office Manager<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One of the most famous forms of comedy in Japan is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Manzai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Manzai<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a duel stand-up routine. This is where most Japanese comedians cut their teeth before becoming TV personalities (I\u2019ve always found it dreadful but it\u2019s very popular!).\u00a0<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2H7s8ohjukU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is a clip of Jinnai Tomonori; he has a unique style where he uses a video as the other part of his act.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;One interesting show is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"><em>Gaki no Tsukai Batsu<\/em><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a game played by Japanese comedians.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They\u2019re put in bizarre situations, and if they laugh, they face a punishment (they&#8217;re usually smacked with a paddle).<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0There<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s a special episode every New Year\u2019s Eve, which Japanese families will sit together and watch.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;The Japanese are big fans of slapstick comedy, so some of our more classic series go down <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">really well<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. My<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0wife really likes <em>Fawlty Towers<\/em>,\u00a0<\/span><em>Blackadder<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and <em>The IT Crowd<\/em>, but can\u2019t get on board with shows like <em>The Office<\/em> or <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm<\/em><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u2013 Ben Guest, Senior Travel Consultant\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cFrankie Boyle would find it difficult to get along with people in Japan. I\u2019m just saying&#8230;\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yuki Hunter, Booking Delivery Manager<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japanese comedy, by and large, is harmless. Quaint, even.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reliant on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">physical comedy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, puns, and exaggerated movements and facial expressions. The Japanese public eats up\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">gags<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. A comed<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">y duo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">will be super popular for a year, then run their gag into the ground. Then the duo either adapts, comes up with another gag, or disappears forever. It\u2019s a very common occurrence!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Of course, there are comedians here that are insanely funny and talented, and don\u2019t rely on a single<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ippatsu<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(gag). They\u2019re rare, but they exist. For example, Atsushi Tamura,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Teruyoshi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Uchimura, and Downtown. They\u2019re a cut above the rest.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Study of \u3042 \/ Ah (Downtown) - Subtitled\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jxt0ZC5tE64?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Japan is also unique in that it subtitles its own shows in Japanese. This allows the audience sitting at home to read along and know when to laugh, as the font on screen gets bigger and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">more colorful during punchlines. Imagine doing that in the States!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;My favorite show right now is called <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Zenryoku! Datsuryoku Times<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">. It hilariously skewers all the tropes in Japanese comedy and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">television, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0makes fun of itself.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is Japanese comedy funny? I\u2019ll admit, some of the funniest things I\u2019ve seen on television in my life have been here (though, like most TV, the majority is crap)!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0B<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rett Plotz, Tour Leader<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-32144\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1.jpg\" alt=\"InsideJapan Newsletter sign-up\" width=\"2400\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-300x60.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-1024x205.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-768x154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-564x113.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-1536x307.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-2048x410.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-1200x240.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-900x180.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-720x144.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-1440x288.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-390x78.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-780x156.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-1-510x102.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Types of comedy in Japan<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Manzai<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Manzai<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is the most popular comedy style in Japan by a mile. It\u2019s a love-hate thing for many, as performances always follow the same pattern and contain similar jokes. There\u2019s always a stupid person (the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">boke<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) and the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">straight-man<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tsukkomi<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">). The\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">boke<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0will make a long, rambling speech, while the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tsukkomi<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> makes dry comments on how stupid they are\u2026 and occasionally slaps them in the head. It\u2019s basic, but many Japanese comedians begin here then branch out into other styles. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Manzai\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is safe comedy, and easily digestible. In the West, stand-up comedy makes fun of everything \u2013 the government, cultural trends, celebrities, etc. However, if a comedian in Japan made a joke about the prime minister, or how terrible Japanese beer is, they\u2019d be banned from TV and radio. This is largely because <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the vast majority of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0entertainers in Japan are<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">represented<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by the same agency (Yoshimoto). Plus, there are only a few channels that do\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">comedy\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shows<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This means if someone burns a bridge, they\u2019re done. It makes sense for Japanese comedians to play it safe.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rakugo<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The other main comedy style you\u2019ll find in Japan is\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rakugo<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rakugo<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is a very old, traditional style of comedy, in which a lone storyteller kneels on a small stage before a live audience and tells a comedic tale. They do this using only two props: a fan and small cloth. If\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manzai<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reflects Japan\u2019s present,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rakugo<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reflect the nation\u2019s rich heritage. This form of entertainment appeals mostly to the elderly (you\u2019ll still find theatres with long queues of old people who want to see<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rakugo<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">). It may not be as popular as it once was, but because of its long history in Japan, it\u2019s not going anywhere soon.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The wacky, the weird, and the wonderful<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> concludes our overview of comedy in Japan \u2013 well, almost. Because no article on the subject would be complete without the inclusion of the most bonkers, genius game show I\u2019ve ever heard <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of. The premise? C<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ontestants have to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bit<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e into<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">various pieces of furniture<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0around a seemingly ordinary room<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, in a bid to discover which are made of chocolate.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enjoy!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"R.O.V. Candy or Not Japanese Game Show\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LmEdU5eVMWI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>For those inspired to embark on their own journey of discovery and laughter, exploring our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/\">Japan holidays<\/a> offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and joy.<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! If travel teaches you anything, it\u2019s\u00a0that laughter is universal. Like this post? 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