<figure id="attachment_294825" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-294825" style="width: 733px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="5c6fa4f3"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/02/2012033000306.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-294825" class="wp-caption-text">Harufutei Ichinosuke is at the top of his class in terms of both popularity and ability, as he was promoted to Shinuchi without 21 people.</figcaption></figure>
 Harufutei Ichinosuke has been chosen as a new regular on the popular program &#8220;Laugh Spot. As usual, no information was leaked in advance, and the reins of NTV were well in hand.
 When Ichinosuke arrived for the recording on February 4, the veteran regulars asked him, &#8220;Why did you accept the job? The veteran regulars asked Ichinosuke, &#8220;Why did you take the job? The veteran regulars gave Ichinosuke wild words of congratulations, saying, &#8220;Why did you accept?
 When Ichinosuke was introduced, he was referred to as &#8220;Japan&#8217;s most difficult rakugo performer to get tickets for. The profession of rakugo is based on appearing at Yose theaters in Tokyo, but the income alone is not enough for a rakugo performer to make a living. Most of their income comes from rakugo performances at rakugo clubs in Tokyo and in other parts of Japan. The more successful he becomes, the more his schedule fills up from his work on the weekends ahead.
 In July &#8217;19, Ichinosuke joined the major entertainment production Watanabe Entertainment. However, at the time
 I can&#8217;t cut my schedule for TV taping and so on because my night schedule is booked up for the next three years,&#8221; lamented one of the people at the agency.
 I can&#8217;t cut off my schedule for TV recording, etc.&#8221; I have heard this &#8220;lament&#8221; from an office staff member.
 This &#8220;lament&#8221; should not be taken at face value. It is necessary to discount it somewhat.
 This is because it is unlikely that all weekday evenings are booked, even though the weekend and Sunday evening schedules are already full. It is not that the schedule of the Yose is not made that far in advance.
 But this happy lament shows that Ichinosuke is busy.
 That is why Ichinosuke, who has plenty of work, is highly regarded for his art, and is already well known, was asked to appear on &#8220;Laughing Point&#8221;?
 He himself answered, &#8220;I was in a quandary,&#8221; but there were two factors behind the decision: the effect of &#8220;Laughing Point&#8221; in boosting his name recognition and the relationship with his agency.
 He said, &#8220;There are some areas where &#8216;Laughing Point&#8217; is not broadcast, such as Okinawa, but it is almost a nationwide program. The viewer ratings are high, and name recognition is sure to increase.
 As its name recognition rises, local event organizers are sure to book it for their rakugo events. This is called &#8220;more seats in the house. For rakugo storytellers, the joy of being able to perform as many Rakugo performances as possible is irreplaceable,&#8221; said a person involved in the entertainment industry.
 The only concern is that Ichinosuke may have fewer opportunities to perform at Yose theaters in Tokyo. Ichinosuke values the Yose theater and often makes appearances at other Yose theaters in Tokyo. However, the members of the Laughing Point group are now making their appearances on a national scale.
 Taihei Hayashiya once told me this story. He said, &#8220;The schedule was as follows: appear at a solo performance in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, during the daytime, return to Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, receive change of clothes from the office staff at Tokyo Station, go directly to Kansai, and then ride in advance for the solo performance the next day.
 This is said to be his daily routine. The boost in publicity from his appearance on &#8220;Laugh Point&#8221; must be that great,&#8221; said a person involved in the entertainment industry.
 If Ichinosuke becomes such a sought-after performer, he will have fewer opportunities to perform at Yose. It is conceivable that this would be a bit of a disappointing situation for fans of Yose.
 However, such a situation is likely to be a &#8220;happy&#8221; scream for his agency.
 The arrangement at the time of his affiliation was that Ichinosuke would continue to control his own schedule of yose and rakugo performances, but that Watanabe Entertainment would manage his media appearances and other matters. Ichinosuke once told a colleague, &#8220;I don&#8217;t let them make much money,&#8221; even though he was being taken care of by the agency.
 This time, Nippon TV asked his agency to appear on the show. Nothing would be more gratifying for an agency than to have one of its talents booked for a regular show. Ichinosuke was not sure what to do, but considering the debt and contribution he owed to his agency, he thought, &#8220;I have no choice but to appear on the show! It was a very natural decision for Ichinosuke to take the helm.
 It was a win-win situation for Ichinosuke, for his agency, and for &#8220;Laugh-In&#8221;. All three parties are happy and smiling. Everyone benefits from Ichinosuke&#8217;s appearance. It is such a happy decision.
 Ichinosuke has the skill to handle both humor and venom at will, and he is also a great comedian with a knack for quick wit. He is also a great comedian with a quick witted sense of humor.
 Ichinosuke&#8217;s talent and star power are sure to increase in the future. If Ichinosuke&#8217;s art improves along with his talent, there will be nothing to complain about.
 Ichinosuke knows that, in his long life as a rakugo performer, he would be most grateful to have the ears of rakugo audiences who attend his yoses and rakugo performances, rather than the viewers who watch him on TV. He is sure to take advantage of the &#8220;Laughing Point&#8221; effect to further advance his art.

 Kyodo News

 Harufutei Ichinosuke has become a leader in the world of rakugo in terms of both popularity and ability, and has been promoted to the rank of shinuchi without 21 others. Why did he accept the offer to be a regular on "Laugh Spot"?

Harufutei Ichinosuke, who &#8220;can&#8217;t get a ticket,&#8221; accepted a new regular role on &#8220;Laugh Spot&#8221; behind his &#8220;indebtedness to the office.

Harufutei Ichinosuke, who “can’t get a ticket,” accepted a new regular role on “Laugh Spot” behind his “indebtedness to the office.

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