Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

Even after reaching the coveted shin’uchi rank, Yotarou still can’t shake the feeling that his rakugo lacks a true sense of self. Torn between the lessons of his master Yakumo and the lingering influence of the late Sukeroku’s bold approach, he draws crowds yet struggles to find the ego that would make the art fully his own—especially as rakugo risks fading from the public eye.

Yakumo, long seen as rakugo’s final pillar, faces the strain of age despite performances that remain masterful. As his confidence falters and an old friend draws nearer, the pressure to protect what he’s built only deepens. At the same time, Konatsu raises her son alone, a choice Yotarou refuses to accept; he pushes to marry her and take responsibility for the child himself. *Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju* brings these intertwined lives toward a conclusion, as they confront both personal turmoil and the fight to keep a near-obsolete tradition alive.