National treasure rakugo storyteller Yanagiya Kosanji dies at 81

Japanese rakugo classic comic storyteller and living national treasure Yanagiya Kosanji died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo on Thursday, the rakugo association said Sunday. He was 81.After graduating from high school, Kosanji, whose real name was Takezo Koriyama, started learning rakugo under Yanagiya Kosan in 1959. He received the stage name of Yanagiya Kosanji in 1969 as he was promoted to shinuchi, considered a master of rakugo storytelling.He was known for his adroit use of gestures and pauses during his storytelling.Kosanji became the third living national treasure among rakugo …READ FULL ARTICLE