story about human nature or emotions (esp. rakugo); emotional rakugo story without a punch line
A rakugo genre focusing on sentimental, human-interest narratives rather than comedic twists. Often contrasted with 落とし噺 (stories with a punch line).
See also: 落語
Ninjō-banashi is a genre of rakugo that evokes tears rather than laughter.
That storyteller specializes in sentimental rakugo stories.