UMI
Thanks for working for us for a week!
We really owe you one!
We're going to miss you.
Miku-chan, Hiiragi-san...
Thank you so much for taking care of me!
Pleasure's all ours!
AKANE-CHAN
Here you go. It's not much, but you earned it.
Thanks!
I have Kyo-chan to thank, but...
You're performing next week, was it?
Uh, yes!
Wait, didn't you say that you had mid-terms?
What? Can you handle it?
Will you be all right?
Just who do you think I am?
Of course! I'm going to crush them both!
ONE WEEK LATER
FOURTH STORY BEYOND JOY
Our venue today is a retirement home, huh?
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY KAGAYAKI
Ah, hello there.
You're the Rakugoka, right?
I'm Tainaka, and I'll be in charge today.
My name is Kyoji Arakawa.
I'm looking forward to today.
My name is Akane.
Thank you for having us.
Please come this way. Oh, I'm so sorry.
No, not at all. Thank you, as always.
Oh, what a sweet child.
The audience today...
They all live here, right?
That's right.
They've asked us to perform today as part of the facility's recreation.
I see.
Get used to it.
The beauty of Rakugo is that you can perform anywhere,
as long as there's a cushion.
You may have misgivings about a strange environment...
Misgivings?
What, you don't?
No, actually, I feel lucky.
Lucky?
It hit me just now.
That today's audience normally lives this kind of life.
Well, you know how we can only see the audience when they're at the venue?
So even though it's a given,
I know that they live ordinary lives, and they're taking the time to see Rakugo.
That's why I'm glad to be at this venue.
I mean, I was raring to go from the start,
but right now, I'm more eager to have them enjoy themselves.
I see.
That's a good attitude to have, but don't put too much pressure on yourself.
Uh, right.
I've received permission from the director.
You'll be taking care of the opening act.
You'll have 15 minutes.
You can do whatever you want.
Your Rakugo performance that the audience will enjoy...
I'll get a good look at the answer you arrived at.
Right.
We'll be starting the Rakugo performance.
You've really given me the chance to learn so much.
So as thanks to you...
I'm going to nail my answer to your question!
It looks like there are 20 or so people.
And they're all grandpas and grandmas.
Well, of course they are. It's a retirement home.
My time slot is 15 minutes.
Let's see how much I can have them enjoy themselves in that time.
If you want people to like you, then first, you need to accept them!
You're right, Miku-chan!
First, I'll let them get to know me!
So... Hello, my name is Akane.
I'm just a 17-year-old high school student.
Oh, dear. She's the same age as my grandchild!
I'll start training...
What? I'm the same age as your grandchild?
If you don't mind my asking, ma'am, how old are you?
I'm going to be 88 soon.
Oh, 88?
You're so young!
From any angle, you don't look a day older than 87!
Does anybody else here have grandchildren in high school?
Oh, so many!
Then I hope you'll see me as your granddaughter visiting!
And I hope you'll enjoy...
I see what she's doing.
She's trying to get a read
on the atmosphere in this venue.
The Makura.
The small talk and light conversation before you launch into your story.
It's during this time that Rakugoka warm up the audience,
and get a feel for them.
I think I've gotten a sense of this audience's vibe.
All that's left is that person.
Right now, he's the only one who looks bored.
In that case...
Today I'd like to tell you a story called "Praising Children."
I'd appreciate it if you could please bear with me until the end.
Last eye contact?
Right.
You know how they say the eyes are as eloquent as the mouth?
It's a customer service strategy that flight attendants use.
You look someone in the eye just as they're leaving, and give them a smile!
It'll give them a good impression.
Will it go that smoothly?
Of course! Just think about it.
It's not anyone else.
If someone smiles at you alone,
wouldn't that make you feel special, and happy?
Saburo, get a hold of yourself!
She's like a different person.
Rakugo demands that you have a conversation with the audience.
Even if you don't exchange words, there's information you can mine
from gazes, facial expressions, and the atmosphere.
By reading and empathizing with their feelings,
you can draw them into your story.
And the only way to do that is by responding to your audience.
They say that borrowed plumes will soon come off.
Apparently, mimicking others doesn't ever go well.
Looks like she learned a lot at Izakaya Umi. Now...
I'm ready! Now it's starting for real!
Ah, hello, Old Master!
What? Is that you, Hattsan?
Well, never mind that, come on in!
Thank you.
What brings you here today?
Well, I just thought I'd come over for some of that...
free sake.
What's that?
Come on, you don't have to hide it!
I just heard from someone outside that you serve sake for free here.
I thought, I could use some free sake! And so here I am.
Come on, give me a drink, you cheapskate!
Now look here, you sure are being hasty.
As if there were any free sake in this world!
What I've got here is sake for three.
Not free, but three.
Three and free?
It's the same story, but it feels so different.
Come on, I came all this way.
PRAISING CHILDREN
"Praising Children."
In this Zenza-banashi, Hachigoro pesters the Old Master
for free drinks, but instead, he's taught how to compliment others.
Since he wasn't paying attention, he keeps falling flat.
Oh, I get it.
If a 45-year-old comes along, you say, "You look so young for 45."
"You only look maybe around 100!"
No, I said, younger than 45!
What's that now?
You don't know anything, do you?
For a man of 45, that's about 42 or so!
If you tell a 45-year-old that he looks 42...
A slow tempo.
Just right for today's audience.
Only a Rakugoka can adjust her storytelling to suit her audience.
So she's building on her last experience.
Looks like I can watch her today with no qualms.
What do I do if I see someone who's 50?
Well, then you tell him he looks like he's 45 or 46.
Okay... And if the person is 60?
Well, then 55 or 56.
Oh, is that right? How about 70?
Yeah, 65 or 66.
And 80?
Ugh, 75 or 76.
And 90?
Say 85 or 86.
And 100?
Is she increasing the tempo?
Like a car shifting into higher gear, gradually accelerating...
She's increasing the tempo of her story, bit by bit.
Maybe say 95 or 96?
The audience hasn't realized that the tempo's faster.
Don't tell me...
In order to make sure they'd enjoy it even at the tempo of your choice...
You got them used to it?
What?
You even make your own mayonnaise?
Talk about passionate!
Of course!
First and foremost, the customer needs to be happy.
And second, I need to serve them food that I can be proud of!
What a surprise.
Attentiveness, eh?
Well, I'm sure Akane will do just fine.
With all due respect, she seemed to be brooding.
See, Akane is someone who can think about others, care for them, and learn.
Seems like an apprentice from another school's got her worked up lately,
but there's nothing to worry about.
Those eyes will surely reach the audience.
Thank goodness.
My storytelling is making the audience laugh.
I'm so thrilled!
Also, "Praising Children"
is a tale about a man who didn't listen to what someone was teaching him.
He was a know-it-all but he kept messing up.
I think in a lot of ways, that's exactly how I've been lately.
This story really hit home for me.
Come to think of it, years ago, the master...
Listen, Akane, Rakugo is an art form created by the townspeople of that era.
That's one reason why the characters are carpenters, fishermen,
landlords who rent out homes...
They were ordinary people, just like us.
So you'll one day come to understand how the people in your stories felt.
Will I understand how people from long ago felt?
Sure you will.
Being human and how people think hasn't changed at all, no matter the era.
So Akane, I hope you'll experience all kinds of things.
Agonize as much as you want.
Get hurt a lot.
And one day for sure, all of that will fuel your stories.
At the time, I didn't really get what he meant.
But now I know.
My experiences from back then are connected to this moment right now!
I'm sure nothing went to waste.
Every bit of it is an asset to my Rakugo.
How old, did you say?
He was just born, so he's one.
One? Hey!
For one, he looks really young!
You idiot, if he looks young for one, how the heck old would that be?
He couldn't be more than half.
Amazing.
Rakugo is so much fun!
I hardly recognized you.
I was truly stunned.
Keep that up and apply yourself to your training.
Thank you very much!
What are you thanking me for?
For everything.
I understand how narrow my perspective was until now.
I think I've started liking Rakugo even a little more now.
Is that right?
I'm not sure what you mean, but if I was helpful, I'm glad.
I got a good look at your answer.
Now it's my turn to captivate you.
I'm going to show you how imposing your elder fellow apprentice is!
At the last two-man show, I was so busy with chores in the dressing room,
that I didn't get a good look.
This is my first time watching Kyoji-san's performance.
My name is Kyoji Arakawa.
The way he sits is so beautiful.
Just having great posture is enough to rivet you.
...Edokko, those who were born and raised in Edo.
No true Edokko saves his money. They had no fixation on getting rich...
She answered my question with aplomb.
Now, it's my turn.
What can I show her from up here?
Seems like they were quite a carefree bunch.
Oh, come on.
Why did I have to find something like this?
I found a wallet.
I look inside and there's three ryo, an official document, and a seal.
It says here, Kanda Tate Daikucho, Kichigoro, the carpenter.
This story...
It's "Three Men Lose One Ryo."
Kintaro finds a wallet in the street.
Using the official document and seal inside,
he tracks down the owner, Kichigoro, and delivers it to him.
But no true Edokko would save his money for tomorrow.
Faced with the lost three ryo, neither man would bend their will.
Here it is.
Oh, I see, there's a Kichi inside the circle.
Yeah, but I just hope this damned guy is here.
If he's not around, I'd look like a fool holding this thing.
What's this? Looks like he just repapered his shoji screens.
Why don't I just check for myself.
Here we go!
Uh, so what's the situation?
Hey, there he is.
Right, so that's the Kichi dude.
Every word and gesture is meticulous.
His Rakugo is perfectly executed and serious.
Hey! A real Edokko would pair his sake with something less savory!
Some weird guy just showed up.
Hey, you're the carpenter, Kichigoro, right?
That's right.
I'm a carpenter, and my name is Kichigoro. Who the heck are you?
Me? I'm Kintaro the plasterer.
Kintaro, you say? For a Kintaro, you're not that red.
I get it. Kyoji-san's not just serious.
Listen, you!
He's too serious!
I came all this way to give it back to you.
Go on, take it!
What did you go and do that for?
You bastard! Damn you!
Listen, I didn't leave this wallet there, okay?
I dropped it, all right?
Whether I dropped it at Yanagiwara or some other place, I couldn't care less!
You couldn't care less?
Look, your name is on this document, see?
Shut up, you jerk!
I don't want that money. I'm giving it to you, so take it!
I'm getting a beat-down for returning your money?
How ridiculous is that?
- How dare you! - Shut up!
The Rakugo dialogue itself is comical.
But if he delivers it so seriously, it'll make me laugh!
Oh, no! Another ruckus started next door.
Hey, Mr. Landlord! Mr. Landlord!
Kyoji.
You shouldn't try to make people laugh.
You're not adroit enough to make people laugh at your witty wordplay, are you?
Be serious.
If I may, Master, just being serious won't get any laughs.
True, just being serious would be boring.
But you know what?
If you're too serious, it'll be funny.
If it's exceptional, that'll be your uniqueness.
Be stubbornly honest.
That will be your weapon.
And so, the matter of the three ryo,
which had sparked this spat between Kichigoro and Kintaro,
was sent before the honorable Ooka Echizen,
Magistrate of South Edo for his ruling.
Kichigoro.
I understand that when this Kintaro came to deliver the wallet you had lost,
you flew into a rage and struck him.
Is that correct?
That's correct, but please understand,
I have no intention of accepting money that I'd dropped,
so I told him, "You take it instead!"
Is that so?
Kintaro.
Why did you not accept his offer of three ryo?
Are you kidding me, your honor?
It's our job to teach society the virtue of returning lost items to their owners!
I'm not some tightwad who'd pounce on someone else's three ryo!
Is that so?
So you're telling me that neither of you is willing to accept this money?
The relationship between a Rakugo master and his apprentices is a strange one.
Just because a master takes on apprentices
that doesn't mean he gains anything.
In fact, from teaching etiquette to Rakugo training,
and so many other things...
All he does is give.
But even so...
I have heard both your arguments, and now I, Echizen, will deliver my verdict.
The three ryo at the center of this dispute...
I will hold onto them for you.
And now, I shall give both Kichigoro and Kintaro a reward!
This is to thank you for your display of Edokko generosity.
And even so, the master cares for us as if we were his own children,
and with no regard for gain or loss, he's always looking after us.
I can't even begin to thank him.
All right, now pick up from where you left off.
Yes.
If Kichigoro had taken the money that Kintaro returned to him,
he would've had three ryo.
And if Kintaro had taken the money
that was offered to him, he would've had three ryo.
I will add one ryo to the three that I'm holding for you,
and by handing you each two ryo...
Let me, as her elder fellow apprentice, give generously to her.
Just like the master did for me.
And I'll keep being someone who's capable of giving.
I'll become someone who harbors words,
as a person,
as a Rakugoka,
I'll move forward, and show you...
the example of the kind of elder fellow apprentice that you'll want to pursue!
And thus, my judgment is...
three men lose one ryo each!
Amazing.
So this is Kyoji-san's Rakugo!
Oh, wow, so it was a roaring success.
Good for you!
I know!
And Kyoji-san's Rakugo was incredible, too!
Hey, I used all the customer service that I learned here in my Makura...
I just remembered.
I have no problem with it,
but there are some who frown upon the opening act starting with a Makura,
so be careful.
Right!
One more thing.
From now on, call me Kyoji Ani-san.
Did you say Ani-san?
That's right.
Being taken on as an apprentice
is like starting a parent-child relationship with your master.
The master is our parent, and his apprentices are all his children.
You don't use honorifics for your siblings, do you?
Rakugoka call their close seniors Ani-san or Nee-san.
Got that, Akane?
It's not inward that you need to gaze into right now.
I got a good look at your answer.
For the first time, he called me by my name.
Right.
Thank you for teaching me, Kyoji Ani-san!
Yes. Well done.
Isn't this great? Like the joys of youth!
Hey, come to think of it, are your midterms going well?
Oh shoot.
Oh shoot...
Oh shoot?
Just what is going on here?
No, no, it's just...
Hey, I was thinking I should start working on that, you know?
You little fool!
Didn't I tell you that while you're in school, your studies come first?
I forbid you from accompanying me during your mid-terms!
Hit the books!
Starting tomorrow, bring your notebook every day!
No need to be shy!
How did it come to this?
I don't know either.
Hey! Are you listening?
Ah, youth!
NEXT EPISODE HER PATH FORWARD
Akane Small Talk!
Kyoji Ani-san!
Calling you "Ani-san" makes me feel a lot closer to you.
Right.
Being in the same school is like being in the same family.
- You should have a stronger sense of that. - Right!
Still, it's also customary for Rakugoka to call their seniors from other schools
Ani-san or Nee-san.
And another thing that sets us apart from Kamigata Rakugo
is the fact that they say Nii-san rather than Ani-san.
Really?
However, that's only up to the Futatsume rank.
In some cases, it would be considered rude
not to call elder fellow apprentices promoted to Shin'uchi as "Master,"
- so watch out. - I'll keep that in mind!
One more thing.
You would call a master from another school "Master So-and-so,"
but when referring to your own master,
you'd just call him "Master" or "my master."
If you think about the relationship between master and apprentice being like
a parent and child, it should make sense.
I get it!
I call my own father "Dad,"
but if it's my friend's father, I say "So-and-so's dad."
You little fool!
You wouldn't call someone else's father her "dad," you'd say her "father"!
R-Right.