Rōkyoku

Rōkyoku (浪曲; also historically called naniwa-bushi, 浪花節) is a genre of traditional Japanese narrative singing.

[1] There are two types of naniwa-bushi: Kanto-bushi which was found mostly in east Tokyo and Kansai-bushi, derived from ukare-bushi from West Osaka.

In a rōkyoku performance, the rōkyokushi (singer) will deliver the narrative singing in the centre of the stage, with a blend of sung sections (fushi) and spoken word (tanka).

During the Edo period, performers were part of socially marginalized groups called the eta-hinin (穢多非人), or "lowborn people.

"[3] During the late Edo period a hierarchy of performances was formed: By 1947, rōkyokushi (singers) were among the top entertainers in industry.