Japanology Plus (2014)

Episode Overview

Once hailed as "solo opera," Rokyoku was Japan's leading entertainment form, with its top artists enjoying immense wealth. It flourished in the late 19th century, but the rise of television led to a swift downturn. Today, a new generation of performers is breathing fresh life into this traditional storytelling technique by blending it with English lyrics, rock, pop music, and even dance. Peter Barakan explores both classic and contemporary rokyoku performances, while in Plus One, Kyle Card attempts to showcase his own rendition.