Kyoto Theater Holds First "Kids Kodanshi Introduction" Workshop for Elementary School Students
Kyoto Theater will hold its first experiential workshop for elementary school students, "Kids Kodanshi Introduction," as a special summer vacation project on August 2, 2026. This program aims to foster children's expressiveness and imagination through the experience of storytelling in Rakugo. On the same day, the main performance of the "Kyoto Gatari" series, which is continuously held at Kyoto Theater, will also be staged, making it a day to deeply experience the charm of Rakugo.
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Kyoto Theater (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto) will hold an experiential workshop for elementary school students, "Kids Kodanshi Introduction," on Sunday, August 2, 2026, as a special summer vacation project. This program aims to foster children's expressiveness and imagination through the experience of storytelling while becoming familiar with "Kodan," a traditional Japanese performing art.
"Kodan" is a traditional Japanese storytelling art, an ancient form of Japanese entertainment that captivates audiences solely through narration. In this project, participants will learn the basics of word rhythm and storytelling in the open space of the Kyoto Theater lobby, feeling the narrator's performance up close.
On the day of the event, in addition to programs that allow participants to experience the "voice," "rhythm," and "ma" (pause) characteristic of Kodan, a demonstration of story creation will also be held. An experience where participants can sit on an actual stage and take photos will also be provided.
Furthermore, a worksheet will be distributed to help children complete their own stories at home, with the program also envisioned as a tool for independent study through Kodan creation.
In the afternoon of the same day, the main performance of the "Kyoto Gatari" series, which focuses on Kyoto and is continuously held at Kyoto Theater, will be staged. Combined with the morning workshop, it will be a day where participants can gain a deeper appreciation for the charm of Kodan.
Event Outline
■ Event Name
Summer Vacation Independent Study Project! Kids Kodanshi Introduction
■ Date and Time
Sunday, August 2, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Doors open at 10:30 AM)
■ Venue
Kyoto Theater Lobby
■ Instructors
Kodan Storytellers: Gyokushusai Tamada, Gyozan Tamada
■ Target Audience
Elementary school students (Capacity: 30)
■ Ticket Price
1,500 yen (tax included)
*Up to two guardians can enter free of charge per elementary school student.
*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
■ Content
Fan-slapping and rhythm experience, story creation demonstration, participatory Kodan, Kodan performance.
■ Ticket Purchase
Kyoto Theater Online Ticket: https://www.kyoto-gekijo.com/
■ Sales Start Date
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM onwards
■ Website
https://www.kyoto-gekijo.com/performance/2026-kids-koudanshi /
■ Organizer and Inquiries
Kyoto Station Building Development Co., Ltd. Kyoto Theater
TEL 075-341-2360 (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, excluding holidays)
■ Related Performance
Gyokushusai Tamada's "Kyoto Gatari" Vol. 21
Kodan: "Kyōdōsanzen-dō Kidanshō - The Origin of Zutsūzan Heijiji"
*A new series of Kodan performances based on Kyoto themes is scheduled to be held from 2:00 PM on the same day.
Instructor Profiles
Kodan Storyteller / Gyokushusai Tamada
The Tamada family lineage traces back to Eikyo Tamada, a Shinto Kōshoshi who was active nationwide based in Kyoto during the late Edo period. The third Gyokushusai Tamada popularized works such as "Sarutobi Sasuke," "Sanada Jūyūshi," "Sugawara Tenjin Ki," and "Abe no Seimei Den," greatly influencing young people in the Meiji and Taisho eras.
The fourth Gyokushusai Tamada, while studying abroad in Sweden as a Rotary exchange student, became interested in Japan and became a Kodan storyteller. He has performed numerous new Kodan works, including English Kodan, music collaboration Kodan, tourism Kodan, and Big Issue Kodan. He has also collaborated frequently with Bunraku, Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, and local traditional performing arts. He performs regularly at Kyoto Theater to revive Kodan in Kyoto.
Completed the Master's program in "Ninja and Ninjutsu Studies Course" at Mie University Graduate School in March 2024. Currently pursuing doctoral studies in the Graduate School of Tourism at Wakayama University since April 2024. He served as a consultant for ghost story narration in the NHK morning drama "Babake" (October 2025 - March 2026). He hosts "Be a Genius Idiot!" on FM Osaka every Sunday. He has traveled to over 25 countries. He holds a Level 2 Kyoto Kentei certification (aiming for Level 1!!).
Opening Act / Gyozan Tamada
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1990. Graduated from Kyoto Sangyo University. Became a Kodan storyteller in March 2019 after apprenticing under the fourth Gyokushusai Tamada. He has created over 500 new Kodan works since his debut, including the "Suiyo Do You Desu Ka Kodan" series, "Seiji Kodan" series, and the semi-autobiographical "Gyozan Tamada Monogatari" series.
He performed as a narrator in all episodes of "Kodan-style Taiga Drama Benkei Ki," receiving the Excellence Award in the Radio Division of the Galaxy Awards and the Grand Prize in the Radio Division of the Hoso Bunka Foundation Award. His work "Kamigata Kodan Senki ~Ponkotsu Deshi no Shugyo Nikki~" was a finalist for the 23rd Kōdai Ken Non-Fiction Prize but narrowly missed winning.
He is currently based in the Kanto region.
"Kodan" is a traditional Japanese storytelling art, an ancient form of Japanese entertainment that captivates audiences solely through narration. In this project, participants will learn the basics of word rhythm and storytelling in the open space of the Kyoto Theater lobby, feeling the narrator's performance up close.
On the day of the event, in addition to programs that allow participants to experience the "voice," "rhythm," and "ma" (pause) characteristic of Kodan, a demonstration of story creation will also be held. An experience where participants can sit on an actual stage and take photos will also be provided.
Furthermore, a worksheet will be distributed to help children complete their own stories at home, with the program also envisioned as a tool for independent study through Kodan creation.
In the afternoon of the same day, the main performance of the "Kyoto Gatari" series, which focuses on Kyoto and is continuously held at Kyoto Theater, will be staged. Combined with the morning workshop, it will be a day where participants can gain a deeper appreciation for the charm of Kodan.
Event Outline
■ Event Name
Summer Vacation Independent Study Project! Kids Kodanshi Introduction
■ Date and Time
Sunday, August 2, 2026, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Doors open at 10:30 AM)
■ Venue
Kyoto Theater Lobby
■ Instructors
Kodan Storytellers: Gyokushusai Tamada, Gyozan Tamada
■ Target Audience
Elementary school students (Capacity: 30)
■ Ticket Price
1,500 yen (tax included)
*Up to two guardians can enter free of charge per elementary school student.
*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
■ Content
Fan-slapping and rhythm experience, story creation demonstration, participatory Kodan, Kodan performance.
■ Ticket Purchase
Kyoto Theater Online Ticket: https://www.kyoto-gekijo.com/
■ Sales Start Date
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM onwards
■ Website
https://www.kyoto-gekijo.com/performance/2026-kids-koudanshi /
■ Organizer and Inquiries
Kyoto Station Building Development Co., Ltd. Kyoto Theater
TEL 075-341-2360 (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, excluding holidays)
■ Related Performance
Gyokushusai Tamada's "Kyoto Gatari" Vol. 21
Kodan: "Kyōdōsanzen-dō Kidanshō - The Origin of Zutsūzan Heijiji"
*A new series of Kodan performances based on Kyoto themes is scheduled to be held from 2:00 PM on the same day.
Instructor Profiles
Kodan Storyteller / Gyokushusai Tamada
The Tamada family lineage traces back to Eikyo Tamada, a Shinto Kōshoshi who was active nationwide based in Kyoto during the late Edo period. The third Gyokushusai Tamada popularized works such as "Sarutobi Sasuke," "Sanada Jūyūshi," "Sugawara Tenjin Ki," and "Abe no Seimei Den," greatly influencing young people in the Meiji and Taisho eras.
The fourth Gyokushusai Tamada, while studying abroad in Sweden as a Rotary exchange student, became interested in Japan and became a Kodan storyteller. He has performed numerous new Kodan works, including English Kodan, music collaboration Kodan, tourism Kodan, and Big Issue Kodan. He has also collaborated frequently with Bunraku, Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, and local traditional performing arts. He performs regularly at Kyoto Theater to revive Kodan in Kyoto.
Completed the Master's program in "Ninja and Ninjutsu Studies Course" at Mie University Graduate School in March 2024. Currently pursuing doctoral studies in the Graduate School of Tourism at Wakayama University since April 2024. He served as a consultant for ghost story narration in the NHK morning drama "Babake" (October 2025 - March 2026). He hosts "Be a Genius Idiot!" on FM Osaka every Sunday. He has traveled to over 25 countries. He holds a Level 2 Kyoto Kentei certification (aiming for Level 1!!).
Opening Act / Gyozan Tamada
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1990. Graduated from Kyoto Sangyo University. Became a Kodan storyteller in March 2019 after apprenticing under the fourth Gyokushusai Tamada. He has created over 500 new Kodan works since his debut, including the "Suiyo Do You Desu Ka Kodan" series, "Seiji Kodan" series, and the semi-autobiographical "Gyozan Tamada Monogatari" series.
He performed as a narrator in all episodes of "Kodan-style Taiga Drama Benkei Ki," receiving the Excellence Award in the Radio Division of the Galaxy Awards and the Grand Prize in the Radio Division of the Hoso Bunka Foundation Award. His work "Kamigata Kodan Senki ~Ponkotsu Deshi no Shugyo Nikki~" was a finalist for the 23rd Kōdai Ken Non-Fiction Prize but narrowly missed winning.
He is currently based in the Kanto region.
FAQ
When and where will the "Kids Kodanshi Introduction" workshop be held?
It will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Kyoto Theater Lobby, in the morning session (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
What is the content of this workshop?
Participants will learn the basics of Kodan (voice, rhythm, pauses), experience story creation, listen to professional storytellers, and can sit on stage for photos.
Who is the target audience and what is the capacity?
The target audience is elementary school students, with a capacity of 30. Guardians can enter free of charge.
How can I purchase tickets and when do they go on sale?
Tickets can be purchased through Kyoto Theater Online Ticket starting from 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Are there any related events after the workshop?
Yes, the main performance of "Kyoto Gatari" by Kodan storyteller Gyokushusai Tamada will be staged at 2:00 PM on the same day.