Kokontei Shincho II, a master of "rakugo," the traditional Japanese art of comic monologue storytelling, died Monday morning of liver cancer at his home in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, his family said. He was 63.
Shincho, whose real name was Kyoji Minobe, was the second son of the late Kokontei Shinsho V and was considered the premier rakugo artist of the Showa period (1926-1989). He was also hoped to become the leading figure of the next generation of the rakugo world.
The Tokyo native began studying under his father in 1957 and assumed his title after becoming a full-fledged rakugo storyteller in 1962.
He was known for portraying rakugo in a new light, with his distinctive human depictions and storytelling speed.
Shincho also appeared in a number of TV dramas, films and plays, and received rewards for his contributions to rakugo. He became vice president of the Rakugo Association in 1996.
According to his family, Shincho fell ill while touring Hokkaido during the summer and had been recuperating since late August.
Fellow rakugo artist Katsura Beicho III expressed regret at Shincho's death, which he described as a loss to the Tokyo rakugo community.
Actress Shino Ikenami is Shincho's niece.
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