NEWS

Hello, everyone!

This time, we'd like to share a slightly unusual topic with you.

If you've come to Japan and noticed the differences in humour between Japanese and your own culture, as seen on TV and in videos, then this topic is for you!


Incidentally, it is believed that the current roles of the ‘boke’ and ‘tsukkomi’ (the so-called ‘comedy duo’) became established during the first manzai boom in the early Showa period, but the terms “boke” and ‘tsukkomi’ as humour terms are thought to be more recent.　

Additionally, boke and tsukkomi are often associated with Kansai people and Kansai culture. As the saying goes, “When two Osaka people gather, manzai begins.” There are likely historical and social reasons for this. The manzai of Entatsu and Achako, mentioned earlier, was broadcast nationwide via radio from Kansai, and even today, the majority of manzai performers on TV are from Kansai.

In a survey we conducted in 2013 on attitudes toward humour, Kansai people showed statistically significant results compared to people from other regions in terms of ‘making tsukkomi in conversation,’ ‘having confidence in being able to make both boke and tsukkomi depending on the situation,’ ‘feeling that conversation needs a punchline,’ and ‘valuing humour in daily life.’ we would like to discuss regional differences in humour and comparisons between Osaka and Tokyo in a separate article.

4. Culture and Humour
Next, we would like to discuss the relationship between culture and humour. Minamiwara (cited above) has described American humour very accurately, so I will quote him again here.

In America, there is a genre called ‘stand-up comedy,’ but the reason it doesn't appeal to Japanese people at all is because it only has “boke” and no ‘tsukkomi.’ For example, it goes like this: "My wife is the best. She's incredibly smart, incredibly beautiful, and to top it all off, she's distinctive. Because her Adam's apple sticks out.‘ Americans will laugh heartily at this. But Japanese people can't laugh. It's not funny at all. However, if someone else adds a “tsukkomi” at the end, like ’He's a man!" then it becomes somewhat funny.


What do you think?

We are sure many of you finally understand now.

We hope to share more unusual topics like this from time to time!  


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