The 9th Katha Session of India Foundation was held on 23 December 2025 on the theme “Rakugo: The Art of Japanese Comic Storytelling.”
The session was chaired by Mr. Côme Carpentier, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, and was attended by H.E. Mr. Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India, and Dr. Ram Madhav, President, India Foundation.
The session featured Mr. Kanariya Koraku, a diplomat-turned-storyteller, who introduced participants to Rakugo, a traditional Japanese art form with a history spanning over 400 years. Through a live performance, he demonstrated the unique style of Rakugo, in which a single performer narrates multiple characters and stories while remaining seated on stage.
Mr. Koraku explained the origins and development of Rakugo and highlighted its place in Japanese cultural life. The performance offered attendees an opportunity to experience an important aspect of Japan’s cultural heritage and gain insight into the country’s storytelling traditions.
The session was followed by an interactive discussion on Japanese culture, the significance of oral storytelling traditions, and the role of performing arts in preserving cultural heritage. Participants engaged with the speaker on various aspects of Rakugo and its continued relevance in contemporary Japan.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the speaker, chair, and distinguished guests for their participation and contributions.
