During summer vacation, there are numerous events for children.
The same goes for the "After School Child Club (Gakudo Hoiku)" where elementary school children spend their time, with various events being planned.
At the "Kawabe Child Club" in Mabi, Kurashiki City, a performance viewing event featuring rakugo and juggling was held. This time, the performers were two city employees, a rakugo storyteller and a juggler.
We will introduce the day's events and the background of the activities.
About the Rakugo and Juggling Viewing Event
The Rakugo and Juggling Viewing Event was held on August 1, 2025 (Friday) at the Kawabe Branch of Mabi Community Center in Kurashiki City.
The target audience was about 60 children attending the "Kawabe Child Club," which is set up at Kawabe Elementary School. On this day, children from 1st to 5th grade participated.
The performers were Janbo-tei Konan, a public servant rakugo storyteller, and Tochimochi, a public servant juggler. Both are city employees, but since this was considered a private activity, they took paid leave to perform.
The performances of the day were as follows.
Rakugo
The first performance was by the rakugo storyteller Janbo-tei Konan.
As a short story (Kobanashi), he entertained the children with words and sounds they liked.
Laughter erupted from the children.
Next, he showcased a classic performance using the "fan," an essential item for rakugo storytellers, demonstrating the action of "slurping soba."
After that, the children also got to experience it.
There was concern about whether any children would raise their hands, but many did. Due to time constraints, only about three children participated, but they all seemed to enjoy the experience.
Finally, he performed the rakugo "Ushi Home."
He announced, "This will continue for about five minutes," which showed consideration for the children's feelings.
Juggling
Next was juggling.
The performer was the juggler Tochimochi.
First, he started with dice (dice stacking).
This performance involves shaking dice in a cup and stacking them in multiple layers.
The number of dice kept increasing.
At the final stage, it increased to eight, and when he succeeded, cheers erupted.
Next was umbrella spinning.
He spun a ball on the umbrella thrown by a child.
Next was beanbags (ball juggling).
The number of beanbags gradually increased, and in the end, it reached five.
Finally, he performed "Roller Balance," where he stood on a board placed on top of a tube while balancing on both feet.
The children watched anxiously as he threw clubs while on the board.
Finally, he said, "I'm still practicing," and demonstrated balancing with even more tubes stacked.
At the moment of success, the loudest cheer of the day erupted.
And so, amidst the peak of excitement, the "Rakugo and Juggling Viewing Event," lasting about an hour, came to a close.
Interview with Jumbo-tei Konan and Tochimochi
After the event, we spoke with Jumbo-tei Konan, also known as Makino Koji, and Tochimochi, also known as Okada Noriaki.
What was the trigger for the two of you to start working together?
Makino (no honorifics)
Originally, we were active separately, but after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, we started performing rakugo and juggling at evacuation centers as a duo, which was the trigger.
Although we continued our activities after that, this fiscal year (2025), I transferred to the Childcare Support Division, and Okada also moved to the same department in the Health and Welfare Bureau.
We discussed, "Then let's increase activities aimed at children," and decided to implement this project.
Is this your first performance at an after-school children's club?
Makino
Our activities at after-school children's clubs began when we were approached in 2023.
During the summer vacation, there was plenty of time at the after-school children's club, so we were consulted about whether we could let the children enjoy rakugo.
Okada (no honorifics)
Around the time that conversation came up, I had the opportunity to talk with Makino, and he invited me, saying, "Rakugo alone might be a bit difficult, so how about incorporating juggling to make it easier to understand?"
Makino
In the first year (2023), we only performed in Kawabe, but last year (2024), we also performed in the Sono area, and this year, we have expanded to the Kuresu area, performing in three locations.
Do you find joy or challenges in performing for children?
Makino
When it comes to performances for children, we are constantly experimenting every year.
Last year (2024), we only showcased classic rakugo, but this year, we are incorporating easy-to-understand short stories and sound-based jokes, constantly reviewing the content based on the children's reactions.
In the future, I want to perform in various places, expand my repertoire, and bring joy to a wide range of citizens.
Okada
I feel the same way.
Being able to perform in various places contributes to my own skill improvement, and the opportunity to perform in front of children is precious, and I am truly grateful for it.
Will you continue this activity in the future?
Makino
Since I transferred to the Childcare Support Division, I have come to see this activity as a kind of "job," and my desire to "actively engage" has strengthened.
This year, I asked, "Please let us do this," and we expanded our activity locations to three. I want to continue this activity as long as the children and teachers at the after-school children's club enjoy it.
Okada
Of course, we will also continue our activities during disasters.
Our activities originally started as a duo performing at evacuation centers during disasters.
During disaster dispatches, we sometimes volunteer to perform, and it is very rewarding to bring joy to those affected by disasters.
Additionally, we have recently received requests to perform at city events, and we hope to expand the scope of our activities in the future.
Conclusion
Entertaining children with performances is actually quite challenging. Makino also mentioned, "Honestly, it's difficult to entertain with just rakugo."
However, during the approximately one-hour viewing event, the children's laughter and cheers were constant. Both rakugo and juggling featured various elements designed to keep the children engaged, ensuring that no single performance was too long.
I would like to continue supporting the activities of Makino and Okada in the future.
Data on the Rakugo and Juggling Viewing Event
| Name | Rakugo and Juggling Viewing Event |
|---|---|
| Date | August 1, 2025 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Location | 714 Kawabe, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | None *For requests to hold the event, please consult Jumbo-tei Konan or Tochimochi through the official website or social media. |
| Website | Jumbo-tei Konan | Okayama Dialect Rakugo Performer |
~Rakugo~
A short story that entertains with sounds and words that children like (for example, "pants").
Going up on stage to experience the action of slurping soba.
A story about going to praise an old man's house and his cow.
~Juggling~