{{Short description|Traditional Japanese style of comedy}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Italic title}} thumb|200px|A pair of {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} performers at a New Year celebration; the {{Transliteration|ja|tsukkomi}} at front, the {{Transliteration|ja|boke}} behind him (artist unknown, 19th-century Japanese painting)
{{Nihongo||漫才|'''Manzai'''}} is a traditional style of comedy in Japanese culture comparable to double act comedy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201706/201706_05_en.html |title=What's Manzai? |last=Blair |first=Gavin |publisher= Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan |date=2016 |website=Highlighting Japan June 2017 |access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref>
{{Transliteration|ja|Manzai}} usually involves two performers ({{Transliteration|ja|manzaishi}})—a straight man ({{Transliteration|ja|tsukkomi}}) and a funny man ({{Transliteration|ja|boke}})—trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes revolve around mutual misunderstandings, double-talk, puns and other verbal gags.
In 1933, Yoshimoto Kogyo, a large entertainment conglomerate based in Osaka, introduced Osaka-style {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} to Tokyo audiences and coined the term "{{lang|ja|漫才}}" (one of several ways of writing the word {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} in Japanese); {{crossreference|selfref=no|see {{section link|#Etymology}} below}}). In recent times, {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} has often been associated with the Osaka region, and {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} comedians often speak in the Kansai dialect during their acts.
==History== Originally based around a festival to welcome the New Year, {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} traces its origins back to the Heian period. The two {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} performers came with messages from the ''kami'' and this was worked into a standup routine, with one performer showing some sort of opposition to the word of the other. This pattern still exists in the roles of the {{Transliteration|ja|boke}} and the {{Transliteration|ja|tsukkomi}}.
Print depicting two {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} comedic actors, also in a New Year setting; {{circa|1825}}|thumb|left
Continuing into the Edo period, the style focused increasingly on the humor aspects of stand-up, and various regions of Japan developed their own unique styles of {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}}, such as {{nihongo||尾張万歳|Owari manzai}}, {{nihongo||三河万歳|Mikawa manzai}}, and {{nihongo||大和��歳|Yamato manzai}}. With the arrival of the Meiji period, {{nihongo||大阪万才|Osaka manzai}} began to implement changes that would see it surpass in popularity the styles of the former period, although at the time {{Transliteration|ja|rakugo}} was still considered the more popular form of entertainment.
With the end of the Taishō period, Yoshimoto Kōgyō—which itself was founded at the beginning of the era, in 1912—introduced a new style of {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} lacking much of the celebration that had accompanied it in the past. This new style proved successful and spread all over Japan, including Tokyo. Riding on the waves of new communication technology, {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} quickly spread through the mediums of stage, radio, and eventually, television, and video games.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://japanese.about.com/library/blhiraculture31.htm |title=Hiragana lesson through Japanese culture – manzai<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=29 January 2008 |archive-date=6 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706231728/http://japanese.about.com/library/blhiraculture31.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.japanfortheuninvited.com/articles/manzai.html Manzai (Double-act comedy)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://gojapan.about.com/od/japanesetheater/a/yosetheater.htm Japanese yose theater – Japanese comedy shows<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103193307/http://gojapan.about.com/od/japanesetheater/a/yosetheater.htm |date=3 November 2007 }}</ref><ref>Corkill, Edan, "[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ft20120525r1.html Yoshimoto Kogyo play reveals manzai's U.S. roots]", ''Japan Times'', 25 May 2012, p. 13</ref><ref>Ashcraft, Brian, "[https://kotaku.com/ni-no-kunis-funny-bone-has-quite-the-history-5846764 Ni no Kuni’s Funny Bone Has Quite the History]", ''Kotaku'', 5 October 2011</ref>
==Etymology== The kanji for {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} have been written in various ways throughout the ages. It was originally written as {{nihongo3|lit. "ten thousand years" or {{Transliteration|ja|banzai}}, meaning something like "long life"|萬歳}}, using {{lang|ja|萬}} rather than the alternative form of the character, {{lang|ja|万}}, and the simpler form {{lang|ja|才}} for {{lang|ja|歳}} (which also can be used to write a word meaning "talent, ability"). The arrival of {{Transliteration|ja|Osaka manzai}} brought another character change, this time changing the first character to {{lang|ja|漫}}.
=={{Transliteration|ja|Boke}} and {{Transliteration|ja|tsukkomi}}== Similar in execution to the concepts of "funny man" and "straight man" in double act comedy (e.g. Abbott and Costello; Martin and Lewis), these roles are a very important characteristic of {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}}. {{nihongo||ボケ|Boke}} comes from the verb {{Nihongo||惚ける/呆ける|bokeru}} which carries the meaning of "senility" or "air headed-ness" and is reflected in the {{Transliteration|ja|boke}}{{'s}} tendency for misinterpretation and forgetfulness. The word {{nihongo||突っ込み|tsukkomi}} refers to the role the second comedian plays in "butting in" and correcting the {{Transliteration|ja|boke}}'s errors. In performances it is common for the {{Transliteration|ja|tsukkomi}} to berate the {{Transliteration|ja|boke}} and hit them on the head with a swift smack; one traditional {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} prop often used for this purpose is a pleated paper fan called a {{nihongo||張り扇|harisen}}.<ref>[http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1C WWWJDIC] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103191356/http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1C |date=3 January 2015 }}</ref> Another traditional {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} prop is a small drum, usually carried (and used) by the {{Transliteration|ja|boke}}. A Japanese bamboo and paper umbrella is another common prop. These props are usually used only during non-serious {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} routines as traditional {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} requires there to be no props in terms of routine and in competitions. The use of props would put the comedy act closer to a ''conte'' rather than {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}}.
The tradition of {{Transliteration|ja|tsukkomi}} and {{Transliteration|ja|boke}} is often used in other Japanese comedy, although it may not be as obviously portrayed as it usually is in {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}}.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}
==Notable {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} acts== === Winners of M-1 Grand Prix === {{Main|M-1 Grand Prix}} The M-1 Grand Prix is an annual {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} competition planned by Shinsuke Shimada and run by Yoshimoto Kogyo. {{As of|2024}} it is the most prevalent {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} competition in Japan.
=== ''Asahi Shimbun'' web survey 2012 === The funniest {{transliteration|ja|manzai}} duos, according to a web survey by ''The Asahi Shimbun'' in 2012 (excerpt):<ref name="AsahiShinbun2012">{{Cite news |date=2012-04-07 |work=The Asahi Shinbun |location=Japan |page=b2 |language=ja |script-title=ja:人生で一番笑った漫才コンビ |trans-title=The funniest Manzai duos you have ever experienced throughout your life}} (Participants of survey: subscribers of Asahi Shinbun's web service, where 2,598 respondents voted. Method of survey: voters pick up to 5 from a list of around 100 most prominent pairs.) * Part of the table: {{Cite web |url=http://www.asahicom.jp/digital_pr/article_images/TKY201204040374.jpg |title= |date=2012-04-07 |access-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409172753im_/http://www.asahicom.jp/digital_pr/article_images/TKY201204040374.jpg |archive-date=2012-04-09 |url-status=live |publisher=The Asahi Shinbun |language=ja |script-title=ja:〈ｂｅランキング〉人生で一番笑った漫才コンビ}} (linked from {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408172651/http://digital.asahi.com/20120407/pages/be_business_ev.html|date=2012-04-08|title=朝日新聞 You刊 be 2012年4月7日（土）}}) </ref><!--The following list contains only entries that have an article in English Wikipedia or Japanese Wikipedia--> * Number 1: {{Interlanguage link|Yokoyama Yasushi and Nishikawa Kiyoshi|ja|横山やすし・西川きよし}} * 2: {{Interlanguage link|All Hanshin-Kyojin|ja|オール阪神・巨人}} * 3: {{Interlanguage link|Yumeji Itoshi and Kimi Koishi|ja|夢路いとし・喜味こいし}} * 4: Bakushō Mondai * 5: {{Interlanguage link|Miyagawa Daisuke and Hanako|ja|宮川大助・花子}} * 6: {{ill|Two Beat (comedy duo)|ja|ツービート|lt=Two Beat}}: One of them, Takeshi Kitano became a Japanese film director and television host. * 7: Nakagawake * 8: {{Interlanguage link|Shishi Tenya and Seto Wanya|ja|獅子てんや・瀬戸わんや}} * 9: Downtown * 10: {{Interlanguage link|Ima Ikuyo and Kuruyo |ja|今いくよ・くるよ}} * 14: Taka and Toshi * 16: Ninety-nine * 22: Shinsuke Shimada and {{Interlanguage link|Ryusuke Matsumoto|ja|松本竜助}} * 26: Summers * 28: Tunnels * 29: {{Interlanguage link|Yokoyama Entatsu|ja|横山エンタツ}} and {{Interlanguage link|Hanabishi Achako|ja|花菱アチャコ}}
<gallery> File:Entatsu_Achako_Scan10036.JPG|{{center|Yokoyama Entatsu and Hanabishi Achako established the talk show-centered {{transliteration|ja|manzai}} style. They were active since 1919.}} File:All Hanshin-Kyojin IMG 0317-1 20200110.jpg|{{center|All Hanshin-Kyojin, active since 1975.}} File:Wagyu_manzai_IMG_1474-1_20180401.jpg|{{center|Wagyu, regular finalist in M-1 Grand Prix.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201812020000840.html |date=2018-12-02 |access-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210154717/https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201812020000840.html |archive-date=2018-12-10 |url-status=live |publisher=Nikkan Sports |language=ja |script-title=ja:V候補本命の和牛が1票届かず…3年連続M1準優勝 |trans-title=Expected winner Wagyu lost by a single vote, runner-up for three consecutive years}}</ref> Active from 2006 to 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=お笑いコンビ「和牛」来年3月末で解散 水田信二・川西賢志郎ともに吉本所属のまま「それぞれの道を」【双方コメント全文】 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2306400/full/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=ORICON NEWS}}</ref>}}|alt="Wagyu", regular finalist in M-1 Grand Prix. Active since 2006. </gallery>
=== Others === {{ill|Gen Takagi|fi}} is a famous {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} comedian who brought {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} comedy to Finland and even had his own competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kymäläinen |first=Simo |title=Porilaisen Gen Takagin unelma toteutui – suomalainen komediakilpailu noteerattiin Japanissa |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20167320 |website=Yle |date=13 June 2025 |access-date=26 September 2025}}</ref>
==Literary associations== *Kikaku wrote with affectionate mockery a haiku on the {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} dancers: "The New Year Dancers / Never miss a single gate – / Millet for the crane".<ref>L Zolbrod, ''Haiku Painting'' (1982) p. 16</ref> *Buson more positively wrote: "Yes, New Year's dancers – / Pounding good and properly, / The dirt in Kyoto".<ref>L Zolbrod, ''Haiku Painting'' (1982) p. 16</ref> *Naoki Matayoshi's novel {{Nihongo|''Spark''|火花|Hibana}} is set in the world of {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} comedians and deals with the main characters artistic struggles. The novel was awarded the prestigious Akutagawa Prize in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spark by Naoki Matayoshi book review {{!}} The TLS |url=https://www.the-tls.co.uk/culture/comedy/spark-naoki-matayoshi-reivew-till-weingartner |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=TLS |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Japan}} {{columns-list|colwidth=35em| * ''The Manzai Comics'' – manga series about a young {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} duo * {{Transliteration|ja|Nininbaori}} * {{Transliteration|ja|Kyōgen}} * {{Transliteration|ja|Rakugo}} * {{Transliteration|ja|Owarai}} * {{Transliteration|zh|Xiangsheng}} – the Chinese analogue to {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}} }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Manzai (comedy)}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150404202245/http://japanese.about.com/library/blhiraculture31.htm What is Manzai] 2015 archive * [https://archive.today/20010504063016/http://mcel.pacificu.edu/aspac/papers/scholars/bensky/bensky.htm "Commodified Comedians and Mediatized Manzai: Osakan Comic Duos and Their Audience"] by Xavier Benjamin Bensky. A study in the cultural effects of {{Transliteration|ja|manzai}}.
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Category:Japanese comedy duos Category:Comedy genres Category:Culture in Osaka Category:Japanese comedy Category:Performing arts in Japan Category:Stand-up comedy