My name is Kanariya Eishi (鹿鳴家英志)- an English‑language rakugo performer based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I train under Kanariya Eiraku (鹿鳴家英楽) and am a Special Member of the English Rakugo Association (英語落語協会) in Japan. My life work is sharing the fun, wisdom, and some mischief of rakugo with audiences who may be discovering it for the very first time.

Rakugo is often described as “a sitcom performed by one person,” but to me it’s something deeper- a bridge between cultures, a reminder to slow down, listen, and laugh together. Before rakugo, I worked as a stand‑up comedian, improviser, and clown, so comedy has always been my compass. Now I pour that experience into preserving and reimagining this 400‑year‑old art for modern, English‑speaking audiences.

I create performances, videos, stories, and educational content that celebrate Japanese culture with warmth, clarity, and a hint of cheekiness. Every cup of coffee you send helps me keep developing new material, filming, writing, and building a global community around this beautiful art form.

If you enjoy my work and want to support the growth of English Rakugo, your kindness truly makes a difference!

Thank you for helping me share stories and laughter across cultures- one story at a time.