Haruko Kumota

A multi-generational human drama set in the world of rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese comedic storytelling, DESCENDING STORIES follows an ex-convict whose life is changed by his apprenticeship to a famed storyteller, and Konatsu, who yearns to perform rakugo but cannot because women are not permitted in the craft.

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

Descending Stories

Shion Miura

La grande traversata

A multi-generational human drama set in the world of rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese comedic storytelling, Descending Stories follows an ex-convict whose life is changed by his apprenticeship to a famed storyteller, and Konatsu, who yearns to perform rakugo but cannot because women are not permitted in the craft. THE NEXT CHAPTER After apprenticing for ten years under the great Yakumo Yurakutei VIII, Yotaro has finally become a shin'uchi and taken the name Sukeroku, a lineage with its own fraught history. But the newly-minted Sukeroku III cannot rest on his laurels for long, as ghosts from his own past come to haunt him in the wake of his achievement. With his family and his art on the line, can he find his way forward? Or will he be doomed to mediocrity as the rakugo tradition languishes? The story of the next generation begins here.

Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju 6

A multi-generational human drama set in the world of rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese comedic storytelling, Descending Stories follows an ex-convict whose life is changed by his apprenticeship to a famed storyteller, and Konatsu, who yearns to perform rakugo but cannot because women are not permitted in the craft. THE TIDES OF CHANGE Yotaro's reputation as the third generation Sukeroku spreads, and he's getting steady work on both TV and at the yose. Higuchi, overjoyed to see Yotaro satisfy so many people, longs to create new rakugo stories with him, though it's heresy in Yakumo's eyes. Yakumo plans to take his own rakugo to the grave, but when he collapses during a performance, he finds his desires may once again be thwarted. The story of the next generation continues here.

Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju 7

Love is oftentimes found when it's least expected, but it seldom comes easy. Take Kajiwara finds this out the hard way when the wife of his employee, Souichirou Kanda, shows up one day to deliver divorce papers! While Kanda is out, Take learns that Kanda is gay, and his wife is prepared to leave him and their daughter without a second thought. Although Kanda isn't surprised by his wife's decision, he is still left reeling from her sudden departure from his and their daughter's life. Take immediately steps in, realizing Kanda needs a helping hand, but is there something more behind his good intentions? If so, will Kanda accept Take's kindness for what it is, or expect that Take might want something in return?

Wild Rose

A multi-generational human drama set in the world of rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese comedic storytelling, Descending Stories follows an ex-convict whose life is changed by his apprenticeship to a famed storyteller, and Konatsu, who yearns to perform rakugo but cannot because women are not permitted in the craft.

Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju 4

Le Rakugo à la vie, à la mort Tome 2

For three years, Shibata, a university professor who belittles himself for being gay, has had an unrequited love for the young man who sits alone each day in the university's cafeteria. As his thoughts stray from his research, Shibata wonders about this man. Is he a student? Why does he always sit alone? His questions are soon answered when he finally comes face to face with the man of his dreams, and Shibata soon realizes that first impressions are not always what they seem! You in the Window is a compilation of stories that explores the dynamics of a one-sided love and what happens when that love is suddenly returned.

You In The Window

HIDDEN SECRETS Yakumo slowly begins to recover after his collapse on stage, but the light inside him has faded, and he shockingly declares that he won’t perform rakugo anymore. Meanwhile, in search of a film taken of the late Sukeroku, Higuchi takes Yotaro and Matsuda to Shikoku, where the two men learn a truth about the two storytellers–and what really happened that fateful night that claimed Sukeroku and Miyokichi’s lives.

Descending Stories 8

DECISIVE MOMENT Faced with the limits of his physical body and confronted with the reality of the changing world around him, Yakumo turns his back on his art. Yotaro, however, refuses to let him give up, and convinces Yakumo to perform “The God of Death” for a friend in prison. Yotaro hopes that this performance will inspire others in the same way that Yakumo once inspired him, but the performance ends up hitting a little too close to home…

Descending Stories 9

THE TIDES OF CHANGE Yotaro’s reputation as the third generation Sukeroku spreads, and he’s getting steady work on both TV and at the yose. Higuchi, overjoyed to see Yotaro satisfy so many people, longs to create new rakugo stories with him, though it’s heresy in Yakumo’s eyes. Yakumo plans to take his own rakugo to the grave, but when he collapses during a performance, he finds his desires may once again be thwarted.

Descending Stories 7

THE STAGE IS SET After the last remaining yose in Tokyo burns down, the future of rakugo is more uncertain than ever. But even without a theater to perform in, Yotaro is still adamant on keeping rakugo alive. Meanwhile, Yakumo makes his way through the underworld, but to pass on to the peace he so desperately craves, he’ll need to finally, and literally, lay his ghosts to rest. The saga of a generation of love, art, and storytelling concludes and begins again… FINAL VOLUME!

Descending Stories 10

A NEW ERA Time, which had stopped for Kikuhiko and Sukeroku, begins to move again at last. Sukeroku retakes his place on stage, and the warmth of the audience's love reminds him of what it means to be a storyteller. The stage is set for his triumphant return to Tokyo with Kikuhiko, and there, together, they can build the future of rakugo they've been dreaming of. But before they can, a ghost from both Kikuhiko and Sukeroku's past returns, threatening to drag them both under...The story of Kikuhiko, Sukeroku, and Miyokichi reaches its final act!

Haruko Kumota

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