Sometimes, it's the little things: Storyteller tries to ease tsunami victims' pain

[The Straight Story]

ICHINOSEKI, Iwate Pref. — The traditional Japanese storyteller kneels in front of a room full of families that have lost everything — their loved ones, their homes, their entire town — and his face stretches into a broad grin.

"There once was a samurai who loved to drink sake," he says, and begins to sway as though tipsy.

...

Kyoraku is a master of "rakugo," the ancient art of humorous storytelling, and usually performs in front of crowded halls in Tokyo or on national TV. At the shelter in Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture, he sits in a cramped meeting room attached to an abandoned gymnasium, his audience watching from rows of folding chairs.

....

After his performance, Kyoraku talks about the mental stress of dealing with personal tragedy and living months without any privacy, and the need for everyone to help lift the spirits of those around them.



http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110514f2.html

[sasha031]

1. the expressions on the audience faces is priceless

[aquart]

2. Yes.