Manzai

 Today's topic is about Manzai. I think Manzai is most popular comedy in Japan. The following information is from wilipedia.

 Manzai is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japanese culture, which usually involves two performers―a straight man (is called “tsukkomi”) and a funny man(is called “boke” ―trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes revolve around mutual misunderstandings. It is said that Manzai was developed in Kansai district. In recent times, Manzai has often been associated with the Osaka region, and Manzai comedians often speak in the Kansai dialect during their acts. Yoshimoto Kogyo, a large entertainment conglomerate based in Osaka, introduced Osaka-style manzai to Tokyo audiences, and coined the term “Manzai” in 1933. Manzai performers is called “Manzaishi”.

History

Originally based around a festival to welcome the New Year, Manzai traces its origins back to the Heian period. The two Manzai performers came with messages from the gods and this was worked into a stand-up routine, with one performer showing some sort of opposition to the word of the other. The style focused increasingly on the humor aspects of stand-up at the Edo period. With the arrival of the Meiji period, Osaka Manzai began changes that would see it surpass in popularity the styles of the former period, although at the time rakugo was still considered the more popular form of entertainment. After World War II, riding on the waves of new communication technology, Manzai quickly spread through the mediums of stage, radio, and eventually, television.

Famous performers

・Downtown

・Bakusyomondai

・Nakagawake

・Slim club

・Sandwich man