TOKYO Sanyutei Enraku VI, a Japanese rakugo storyteller who was widely known for his regular appearance on the long-running Japanese TV comedy Shoten, died of lung cancer on September 30. Enraku, whose real name was Yasumichi Ai, produced several major rakugo events across Japan. As a TV regular, he became an energetic diplomat in Japanese rakugo circles, promoting active exchanges among the various rakugo schools and associations, he capitalized on his high profile as a TV regular.
After his master Sanyutei Enraku V passed away, Enraku VI devoted himself to raising the level of the entire rakugo world as a representative of the Enraku family group, expanding rakugo fandom to rural Japan.
He was one of a kind in a rakugo community where many storytellers tend to pursue individual performances.
One of his pet phrases was Rakugo, which is the best form of entertainment created by the people of Japan. He would also say that one can find what Japanese people left behind in rakugo, such as kindness and empathy toward others.