Japanese word

講談

Pronunciation

Romajikōdan

Meaning

  • nounstorytelling

Example

私は講談を聞きました。watashi wa kō dan o ki ki ma shi ta

I listened to a storytelling performance.

Illustration for 講談 (storytelling)

More examples

その講談は、歴史上の人物の生涯を生き生きと描いています。so no kō dan wa reki shi jō no jin butsu no shō gai o i ki i ki to ega i te i ma su

That storytelling performance vividly portrays the life of a historical figure.

Core concept

Presents a crafted narrative aloud, often using rhythm and emphasis to make historical events or characters vivid.

Common phrases

  • 講談を聞くkō dan o ki ku

    listen to a storytelling performance

  • 講談を語るkō dan o kata ru

    perform storytelling

Similar words

講釈kōshaku: A former name for a performance that recounts history aloud while adding explanation.

Definition in Japanese

歴史上の人物や出来事などを題材に、独特の調子で語り聞かせる日本の伝統的な話芸。reki shi jō no jin butsu ya de ki goto na do o dai zai ni doku toku no chō shi de kata ri ki ka se ru nihon no den tō teki na wa gei

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 講談 (kōdan) combines 講 (kō, "to explain") and 談 (dan, "talk"), describing a narrative presented through formal speech.

Usage tips

  • A performer of 講談 (kōdan) traditionally uses a small wooden lectern and a fan while delivering the story, giving the art a distinctive stage style.

Other meanings

  • storynoun

Related words

  • 講談師kōdanshistorytellernoun
  • 講談調kōdanchōstorytelling stylenoun

Word lists with this word