Descending Stories: A Life In Rakugo

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You can stream Descending Stories: A Life In Rakugo (2018) on Netflix with a subscription.

Set during the early Showa period, Yakumo enters the world of rakugo. He forms a friendship with talented storyteller Yurakutei. Yakumo admires Yurakutei’s talent and struggles to achieve his level of performance. With the help of geisha Miyokichi, Yakumo grows up as a rakugo storyteller. Yurakutei and Miyokichi get married, but they die in a mysterious accident. Yakumo takes Konatsu, who is the child of Yurakutei and Miyokichi, and raises her. Konatsu grows up blaming Yakumo as her parents’ enemy. Konatsu and Yakumo’s disciple Yotaro chases after the truth of her parents’ death, which Yakumo hides.

Step into the smoky, vibrant atmosphere of the Showa era where the art of comedic storytelling dictates social standing. This journey follows an aspiring performer as he navigates the complex rivalries and delicate romances inherent to the rakugo stage.