Speak the Will of Muscles! 'Baki' Rakugo Event Announced
An unprecedented collaboration event fusing the martial arts manga 'Baki' and traditional Rakugo storytelling will be held at Kataoka Byobu-ten in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 22:00
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The unique collaboration event fusing the monumental martial arts manga 'Baki' with Rakugo, titled 'Speak the Will of Muscles! Baki Rakugo Event', will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Kataoka Byobu-ten (Sumida-ku, Tokyo).
The 'Baki' series depicts narratives of highly trained physiques, extreme mental states, and the passing down of tales of strength. Rakugo is also a traditional performing art where a performer confronts the audience with only their body and words. This event was planned in conjunction with the official 'Baki' series merchandise 'Baki Byobu' (folding screen), planned and sold by Musket LLC. The creation of the large gold folding screen, measuring 2340mm in height and 1760mm in width and featuring the motif of Yujiro Hanma's 'Demon Back'—one of the most famous scenes in the work—is handled by Kataoka Byobu-ten, a specialized folding screen shop founded in 1946.
On the day of the event, in front of the folding screen replicating the 'Demon Back', an entirely original Rakugo story featuring characters from 'Baki' will be performed. Additionally, a talk session discussing the similarities between the manga and Rakugo is scheduled. The event will be streamed at a later date.
## ■ Performers
**Yanagiya Fukuyoshi**
He became an apprentice to Yanagiya Fukumaru in 2012 and was promoted to Futatsume in 2016. He challenges himself with a wide range of subjects centered around classical Rakugo, gaining popularity for his powerful storytelling and performing style that utilizes physical expressions. He possesses deep knowledge of Japanese culture, including Kabuki and Sumo, as well as martial arts and combat sports. He looks up to Masaaki Hatsumi—said to be the model for the character Izo Motobe—as his martial arts master, and he has experience receiving Keisuke Itagaki when the author visited the dojo for research. He is a unique storyteller who serves as a point of contact bridging the worldview of 'Baki' and reality. He is active at Yose theaters and events across the country.
Official Profile:
https://www.geikyo.com/profile/detail?id=276
X: https://x.com/2vj4Mh6GDnxndCQ
The 'Baki' series depicts narratives of highly trained physiques, extreme mental states, and the passing down of tales of strength. Rakugo is also a traditional performing art where a performer confronts the audience with only their body and words. This event was planned in conjunction with the official 'Baki' series merchandise 'Baki Byobu' (folding screen), planned and sold by Musket LLC. The creation of the large gold folding screen, measuring 2340mm in height and 1760mm in width and featuring the motif of Yujiro Hanma's 'Demon Back'—one of the most famous scenes in the work—is handled by Kataoka Byobu-ten, a specialized folding screen shop founded in 1946.
On the day of the event, in front of the folding screen replicating the 'Demon Back', an entirely original Rakugo story featuring characters from 'Baki' will be performed. Additionally, a talk session discussing the similarities between the manga and Rakugo is scheduled. The event will be streamed at a later date.
## ■ Performers
**Yanagiya Fukuyoshi**
He became an apprentice to Yanagiya Fukumaru in 2012 and was promoted to Futatsume in 2016. He challenges himself with a wide range of subjects centered around classical Rakugo, gaining popularity for his powerful storytelling and performing style that utilizes physical expressions. He possesses deep knowledge of Japanese culture, including Kabuki and Sumo, as well as martial arts and combat sports. He looks up to Masaaki Hatsumi—said to be the model for the character Izo Motobe—as his martial arts master, and he has experience receiving Keisuke Itagaki when the author visited the dojo for research. He is a unique storyteller who serves as a point of contact bridging the worldview of 'Baki' and reality. He is active at Yose theaters and events across the country.
Official Profile:
https://www.geikyo.com/profile/detail?id=276
X: https://x.com/2vj4Mh6GDnxndCQ