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講談 (こうだん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
kōdan ; dramatic storytelling
A traditional Japanese narrative art where a performer dramatically recites historical tales, war chronicles, or revenge stories, often with rhythmic delivery and gestures.
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My hobby is going to listen to kōdan performances.
Kanji 講 lecture, club, association Similar words 落らく 語ご Rakugo is comedic storytelling with a punchline, while kōdan is dramatic and historical, often without humor.
浪ろう 曲きょく Rōkyoku is sung narrative with shamisen accompaniment, whereas kōdan is spoken with dramatic delivery.
Etymology From 講 (lecture, discourse) and 談 (talk, story). The term originally referred to Buddhist sermons or lectures, later evolving into a secular narrative performance art.