User:GreenTea250/Kōdan

Kōdan is usually performed sitting behind a desk or lectern, and using wooden clappers or a fan to mark the rhythm of the recitation. The original kōdan performances were recitations of Buddhist scriptures or Shinto texts, as well as other classical literatures. Performances were originally given to a mainly aristocratic audience.

During the Muromachi period (1333–1568), the form was adopted or revived by the general samurai class for educational purposes. Performances during this time were called Zashikigōshaku (Kōshaku in a room) and were performed in the homes of Daimyō. Instead of the traditional Buddhist or Shinto texts, the works read in this period were the war stories of the 12th century such as the Taiheiki, Heike Monogatari, and Genpeiseisuiki.

Not many notable practitioners are known, but an important one was Amakasu Hōin. Amakasu founded the Taiheikiba (Place where the Taiheiki is recited) at the end of the 17th century, as well as being known to perform for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Another important Kōdan storyteller was Fukai Shidōken, who lived during the early 18th century. Fukai’s style of Kōdan was more comedic and ironic, which contrasted to other contemporaneous practitioners who were more serious.

The three traditional classifications of kōdan are gundan, gokirokumono, and sewamono; meaning war stories, true stories, and contemporary stories respectively.