[Introduction]
Sanpei Hayashiya burst onto Japan’s tradition-bound comedy scene amid the breathless growth of the Showa era. With his son assuming his comic mantle this year, this portrait explores Sanpei’s genius.

[Synopsis]
Born into a dynasty of famed rakugo storytellers, Sanpei was unsure of his direction in life. Renewed plans for an apprenticeship were rocked by his father’s sudden death. After a period of drifting, marriage enabled him to create a unique comic style which swiftly elevated him to the top ranks of rakugo. But super stardom made him neglect his family. One time, he took a challenge to present a key story from his father’s repertoire. This helped him reconcile with his wife and their first trip abroad. Right then he suffered a huge stroke but recovered within 10 months to attempt a daunting tale.