Kodan, With English Subtitles

I attended a traditional oral Japanese storytelling event called Kodan, in Fuji City. This event was special because it was performed with English subtitles on the side. I was happy to attend this rare performance and be able to understand the story by reading the translation as it was spoken in Japanese. Although it was once very popular, Kodan is now rather rare, with only four schools and very few performers. 

There are three traditional classifications of Kodan - Gundan, Gokirokumono, and Sewamono, meaning war stories, true stories, and contemporary stories. Kodan is performed sitting behind a lectern, called a shakudai, using a folding fan to mark the rhythm of the recitation. 

If I have the chance to attend another Kodan event, I will definitely attend!