【参考文献・参照サイト・参照動画】 
１、新居 典子 (著) 、『ゼロから分かる! 図解 歌舞伎入門』、‎ 世界文化社、２０１９年 
２．成毛 眞 (著) 、『ビジネスマンへの歌舞伎案内 (ＮＨＫ出版新書)』、NHK出版、２０１４年 
３．葛西聖司 、『教養として学んでおきたい歌舞伎 』、マイナビ出版、２０２１年 
４．「江戸楽」編集部 (著), 辻村 章宏 (イラスト)、『歌舞伎キャラクター絵図 厳選53演目の見方・楽しみ方 新版 (コツがわかる本!) 』、メイツ出版、２０１９年 
５．近未来研究協会SCO【秀吉】 (著)   、『歌舞伎『日本を代表する伝統文化』エンターテイメントの世界』、２０２３年 

•Hi everyone welcome to what’s going on  Japan. This is MORITA. . I’m from Japan. I‘ve been living in Japan for many years. I’m one hundred percent of  Japanese. In this channel, I will introduce various kinds of Japanese culture. I’m a guide, I will lead you to better understanding of Japan. OK, Let’s get started. 

•Today's topic is "Edo syogunate". "Edo syogunate" was the military government of Japan during the Edo period from 1603 to 1868.There are many types of cultures in Edo period, like Ukiyoe, Rakugo, Kabuki. These are famous and popular all over the world. But, what is Edo shogunate in the first place? What does Tokugawa Ieyasu look like? How did he gain tremendous power? What is the characteristic of his politics? How was city of Edo? How did they influence Japanese society? Today, I'm gonna answer these questioins. 

•After Oda Nobunaga set a goal of unifying the country, Toyotomi Hideyoshi succeeded him and promoted the separation of warriors and farmers, craftsmen and merchants, and made them focus on their respective occupations to develop commerce and industry in 16th century Japan. Until then, the prefectures of Japan were like a single country. Each of these prefectures had its own authorities who ruled the area. The Edo shogunate was established in the 17th century and connect all of the countries and ruled Japan.

 After Toyotomi hideyoshi’s death, Tokugawa Ieyasu attacked the Toyotomi family side in battle of Osaka in 1615, which had stripped the moat of Osaka Castle bare and Toyotomi side was about to rebuild it, claiming that they were ready for battle. Ieyasu made a false accusation and won this battle. Because of this, he may be less attractive as person than Oda Nobunaga or Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

•However, he was a hard worker, patient, and careful in his preparations. He saw the war situation from a long-term perspective and efficiently took over the country with as little effort as possible, making full use of his schemes. He also built a solid and peaceful country afterwards, and some consider him a great ruler. He was also called “Tanuki-oyaji" because of his black-hearted reputation, but he is also enshrined as a god at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Although he is regarded as a polarizing person , there is no doubt that he is a great man with great patience.

 Unlike the eccentric Oda Nobunaga or the idea man Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this Tokugawa Ieyasu was a well-planned, and well-prepared. Tokugawa Ieyasu was a very tenacious type of shogun, but a man who eventually unified the country and established a 260-year peaceful era in Japan. The city developed around Edo Castle, which is now the Imperial Palace in front of Tokyo Station. He may be said to be the man who developed the transportation network in Japan and reformed Japan as a domestic economy. The shogunate-han system created by Tokugawa Ieyasu was a system that made Japan a country of domestic demand, where people traveled to and from each other through famous highways.

•The Edo period was also a time when each clan built castle towns, roads, and developed commerce and industry, and the exchange of goods flourished throughout Japan. Wealthy farmers and wealthy merchants emerged among them. Flood control technology prevented rivers from overflowing and made the land available for cultivation. Improvements were also made to farming implements. As a result, the food supply was stabilized and the population grew during the Edo period. Around this time, the urban population grew and the influx of people from rural areas into the cities, and with it came the challenges of adjusting settlements and food supply and demand, as well as maintaining urban security, issues that are still relevant today.This continues to the present day. It is fair to say that the cornerstone of Japan's domestic demand-based economy can be found in the Edo period (1603-1867) shogunate system.

•Famous policies of the Edo shogunate include the isolation of the country, called Sakoku, and the visitation of the shogunate, called Sankinkoutai. The seclusion of the country was a foreign policy that prohibited the arrival of Christians (Spanish and Portuguese) and the departure and entry of Japanese nationals to Southeast Asia, and managed, controlled, and restricted trade. This policy is called "SAKOKU"

The “Sankinkoutai" system was established during the reign of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, to control the feudal lords and allowed them to reside in Edo for a certain period of time. In principle, the daimyo were required to live in Edo in one-year shifts, and their wives and children were required to reside in Edo permanently. This was intended to weaken the economic power of the feudal lords, as their wives and children became hostages, and the cost of traveling between homeland and Edo was a heavy burden for each clan. The Edo Shogunate probably had a great influence on the inward-looking and obedient character and temperament of the Japanese people today.

By controlling thought, trade, and the economy throughout Japan in this way, the Edo shogunate was able to create a world of peace and tranquility. So there was a good balance between regulation and liberalization. The Edo Shogunate was a political system of tension and relaxation: tighten, loosen, tighten, loosen.When the Edo shogunate was first established, politics was conducted by military force, but as the country became more peaceful and conflict-free, learning culture developed. Terakoya (temple schools) were established in various areas, and reading, writing, and abacus were taught, so the literacy rate of the Japanese people improved from this time. 

Particularly during the Edo period, SHUSHI studies from china, which emphasized hierarchical relationships and parent-child relationships, developed. This led to the creation of a peaceful world that valued order and hierarchical relationships. In contrast to the Japanese of the Warring States period, when parents and siblings fought each other, the Japanese of the Edo period and thereafter became more obedient to their superiors. The Japanese character of today is greatly influenced by SHUSHI studies, which spread mainly through terakoya and other schools during this period.  Thus, Japan became a peaceful world ruled by the Tokugawa family until the arrival of the black ships from the U.S., which forced the country to open up to the outside world.
 

OK!! That’s all for today. Thank you very much for listening. My only hope for you is that this video helps you understand Japan well. I’ll be back soon. Don’t forget to subscribe. Good bye. 

 
【参考文献・参照サイト・参照動画】 
１、小和田哲男 (監修) 、『1日1ページ、読むだけで身につく日本の教養365歴史編』、文響社、２０２１年 
２．田代 脩 (監修), もとむら えり、『徳川家康: 江戸幕府を開いた将軍 (学研まんがNEW日本の伝記)』、学研プラス、２０１４年 
３．矢部健太郎 (監修)、『超ビジュアル! 歴史人物伝 徳川家康 』、西東社、２０１７年 
４．山岡 荘八 (著)、『徳川家康(1) 出世乱離の巻 (山岡荘八歴史文庫)』、講談社、１９８７年 
５．井沢 元彦 (著)  、『英傑の日本史 信長・秀吉・家康編 (角川文庫)』、KADOKAWA、２０１１年 

Hi everyone! Welcome to "What’s Going On Japan!" I'm Morita, 100% Japanese, and I’ve lived here my whole life. On this channel, I’ll be introducing you to all kinds of Japanese culture, and I’ll be your guide, helping you understand Japan better. So, let’s dive in!

Today’s topic is "Rakugo." Rakugo is a traditional form of Japanese verbal entertainment, often performed in small theaters called yose. In Japan, especially in Tokyo, there are many rakugo storytellers (rakugoka) who entertain audiences while sitting on a cushion called zabuton. Rakugo has a long history, dating back to the Edo period. But how did it begin? What makes these stories unique, and how have they influenced Japanese society? Let’s find out!

Rakugo emerged during the Edo period when the culture of the common people—like merchants and laborers—started to thrive. Unlike the serious and dramatic tales found in Kabuki or Ukiyo-e art, rakugo focuses on the humor and wisdom of everyday people. It’s a bit like Japanese stand-up comedy, but instead of standing, the performer sits on a cushion and tells funny, simple stories using only their voice, expressions, and gestures.

The stories often feature relatable, down-to-earth characters, like merchants or lazy workers, who get into light-hearted trouble. They might not pay back a loan, visit a brothel, or argue with their spouse. These stories are rarely about high-status samurai or warriors—it's more about the little quirks and flaws that make us human. You won’t find intense tragedies in rakugo. Instead, it celebrates the small, everyday joys and struggles of life.

One of the key elements in Rakugo is its relaxed, humorous atmosphere. It reflects the culture of Edo’s townspeople, where the focus was on enjoying life and not taking things too seriously. The performers masterfully change their voice and gestures to switch between different characters, all while seated in the same position. It’s an intimate, engaging form of storytelling that showcases the performer’s skill in conveying emotion with just their voice and body language.

Rakugo also teaches us about humanity. The stories emphasize forgiveness and acceptance of human flaws—whether it’s a lazy person who can’t get their life together, or a couple constantly bickering. It’s about embracing imperfection. Unlike Western stories that might focus on heroes or villains, rakugo finds humor in the everyday struggles and mishaps of ordinary people. This Buddhist sense of acceptance and compassion for others is a big part of its charm.

If you’re curious about rakugo, some famous stories to check out are Akegarasu, Shibahama, and Umayakaji. They’re simple, heartwarming tales about things like debt, love, and everyday life. Rakugo reminds us that while times may change, people don’t. We still laugh, love, struggle with money, and complain about the same things today as we did hundreds of years ago.

So, think of rakugo as Japanese sit-down comedy that shows the humor and wisdom of everyday life.

Now, let me introduce one of my personal favorites in rakugo—Shibahama. This story is often praised for its warmth and relatability, making it a perfect example of what rakugo does best: capturing the essence of ordinary life and the humanity within it.

The story follows a fisherman who struggles with laziness and a drinking habit, making life difficult for his hardworking wife. One morning, he drunkenly stumbles upon a bag full of money, bringing it home. However, after falling asleep, he forgets all about it. His wife, concerned about his lack of responsibility, hides the money and tells him the next morning that it was all a dream. The fisherman, feeling a deep sense of loss and guilt, vows to change his life. He gives up drinking and starts working diligently.

Years later, his wife reveals the truth about the money, explaining that she did it to help him become a better man. Instead of anger, the fisherman laughs it off, grateful for how much he’s grown thanks to her clever trick. The story is simple, but it's filled with tender moments of reflection, laughter, and love.

What makes Shibahama so special is its subtlety. Unlike some of the more action-packed or exaggerated rakugo tales, Shibahama focuses on quiet, heartfelt emotions. It’s a story about transformation, not through dramatic events, but through the slow and steady power of love and self-reflection. The humor comes from the fisherman’s initial confusion and his wife’s cleverness, but the real beauty lies in the deep trust and understanding between the two characters.

The real charm of this story is its timeless message. We all have our flaws, but with the right support and a bit of wisdom, we can change for the better. The story leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling, not because it’s a grand tale, but because it feels so real. It's a reminder that love and patience often hold the key to overcoming life’s challenges. 

That’s all for today! Thank you for watching, and I hope this video helped you understand rakugo and Japanese culture a little better. Don’t forget to subscribe, and I’ll see you next time. Goodbye! 

【参考文献・参照サイト・参照動画】
１、稲田 和浩 (著)、『ゼロから分かる! 図解落語入門』、世界文化社、２０１８年
２．林家たい平 (著), リベラル社 (編集)、『はじめて読む 古典落語百選 (リベラル文庫)』、リベラル社、２０２１年
３．立川 談慶、『人生を味わう 古典落語の名文句 (PHP文庫)』、 PHP研究所、２０１７年
４．立川 談志 、『立川談志 芸談集』、竹書房、２０２３年
５．三遊亭道楽 (著)   、『ちょっと小粋な言葉がいっぱい！ 落語の名台詞100』、 PHP研究所、２００６年