Cambridge University held a traditional Japanese storytelling workshop on May 1.

The workshop focused on “rakugo” and “kodan,” which are both traditions of verbal entertainment where the lone storyteller depicts a story while sitting on stage.

The tradition is typically a comedy with expressive use of paper fans and voices to enact different characters.

Rakugo artist Tatekawa Shinoharu and kodan artist Kanda Yoko performed their respective style of storytelling before the students attempted the art themselves.

The event was held in Japanese with students studying the language at Cambridge.

S/ Cambridge student/ It was great. Quite stressful, scary being up there, but it was fun.

S/ Cambridge student/ I’ve always admired rakugo performance and how well they can connect themselves and how humoursly they can perform. I think that the skills apply in so many aspects of life.

Professor of Early Modern Japanese Literature and Culture Laura Moretti, who organized the event, emphasized the importance of learning traditional arts.

S/ Professor Laura Moretti/ We all share the same emotions and that comes out in literature as well as the performing art. I think that our humanity will allow us to bridge the gap of any culture.