Japanese Comedian “Showko” entertained thousands in Nuku’alofa
2018/8/21
A Japanese female comedian, Showko Showfukutei, entertained thousands of Tongan, and left behind moments of good laugher along with an insight into Rakugo – a Japanese traditional comedy with some modern characters, and ventriloquism, when she visited Tonga from 14 to 17 of August, 2018.
H.E Tetsuya Ishii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga accompanied Showko in her school visit to Tonga High School on Thursday, 16 August, and was pleased that the visit will also showcase Rakugo for the first time in Tonga. “Rakugo is a popular form of comic storytelling, which involves only a single actor creating drama with various facial expressions and different vocal sounds. It is a traditional form of Japanese theatre that takes many years to study to become a skillful and professional performer,” stated the Ambassador.
He hoped that the visit by Showko will also “strengthen Tonga and Japan’s cooperation and friendship though the sharing of laughter.” and told students that laughter is the best medicine and that a good laugh is good for their health. He also mentioned laughter is a universal language which goes beyond any language barriers.
Showko performed various pieces of Rakugo, ventriloquism and puppetry and amused students in both of her school visits to Tailulu College and Tonga High School on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16. The highlight of her tour was performing in the presence of Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister of Tonga and Hon. Penisimani Fifita, Minister for Education and Training, during a reception hosted by Ambassador Ishii at his residence on Wednesday evening. She also did a free public show for the general public at Tanoa International Hotel on Thursday evening before she departed Tonga on Friday, 17 August.
Showko was a finalist in the Australia’s Got Talent, and has performed internationally for TV, radio, comedy clubs, festivals and major events in various countries but Tonga is the first country that she ever performed among the Pacific Islands. Her Tonga tour is one of the many cultural events co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation to enhance knowledge of the people of Tonga in the culture and life style of the people of Japan.
H.E Tetsuya Ishii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga accompanied Showko in her school visit to Tonga High School on Thursday, 16 August, and was pleased that the visit will also showcase Rakugo for the first time in Tonga. “Rakugo is a popular form of comic storytelling, which involves only a single actor creating drama with various facial expressions and different vocal sounds. It is a traditional form of Japanese theatre that takes many years to study to become a skillful and professional performer,” stated the Ambassador.
He hoped that the visit by Showko will also “strengthen Tonga and Japan’s cooperation and friendship though the sharing of laughter.” and told students that laughter is the best medicine and that a good laugh is good for their health. He also mentioned laughter is a universal language which goes beyond any language barriers.
Showko performed various pieces of Rakugo, ventriloquism and puppetry and amused students in both of her school visits to Tailulu College and Tonga High School on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16. The highlight of her tour was performing in the presence of Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister of Tonga and Hon. Penisimani Fifita, Minister for Education and Training, during a reception hosted by Ambassador Ishii at his residence on Wednesday evening. She also did a free public show for the general public at Tanoa International Hotel on Thursday evening before she departed Tonga on Friday, 17 August.
Showko was a finalist in the Australia’s Got Talent, and has performed internationally for TV, radio, comedy clubs, festivals and major events in various countries but Tonga is the first country that she ever performed among the Pacific Islands. Her Tonga tour is one of the many cultural events co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation to enhance knowledge of the people of Tonga in the culture and life style of the people of Japan.