< Kodan (Storytelling) > Kodan is a vaudevillian performing art in which a professional storyteller tells a story in front of a desk. Initially termed tsuji-koshaku (lit. street storytelling), it used to be rhythmical annotated recitations of such war tales as Taiheiki (Chronicle of the Great Peace). Kodan established itself as a storytelling art during the Bunsei era (1818–1829). Its subjects diversified with time to include sewamono (stories of the lives of ordinary people) as well as news around town, in addition to such traditional topics as heroic stories, vengeance, family troubles and politics. These stories also served as referential materials for many works of kabuki and joruri. Kodan stories were even transcribed for printing during the Meiji to Taisho period (1868–1926), which became the basis for popular fiction. Newspapers also carried kodan transcribed in shorthand, which gained much popularity. (Kodan and Osaka) Kamigata kodan, developed in Osaka, was enthusiastically received during the Meiji to Taisho period. This led to the establishment of koshakuba (permanent kodan theaters) in many parts of Osaka City for people to enjoy kodan. The repertoire of Kamigata kodan contains many Osaka-based stories.

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