Speaker | IJET-32 (May 25–26, 2024) | International Japanese-English Translation Conference

Keynote Speaker

Katsura Sunshine

Katsura Sunshine was born in Toronto, Canada and holds Slovenian citizenship as well as Canadian.

In 2008 he became the 15th apprentice to the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI, from whom he received the name Katsura Sunshine.

Sunshine was the first ever Western Rakugo-ka in the Kamigata tradition (Osaka / Kyoto) and only the second in Japanese history, after his predecessor Kairakute Burakku a hundred years before.

Sunshine has toured over 5 continents performing in 3 languages (Japanese, English and French).

Sunshine was appointed Cultural Ambassador for Canada and Japan, and Friendship Ambassador for Slovenia and Japan. He was MC and host for the opening reception of the G-20 Summit in Osaka in 2019.

He regularly performs on Broadway in New York and in London's West End.

Sunshine divides his time between Tokyo, New York, and London.

More information about Sunshine can be found at www.rakugo.lol.

Sunshine Times Square — Up in lights in Times Square

Sessions

Keynote Session: Asakusa to Broadway - translating traditional Japanese humour

Always funny and entertaining, Sunshine will talk about the difficulty in translating traditional rakugo humour for his frequent shows on Broadway and London's West End, with the possibility of an example or two.