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The Fleeting Image: Comedy and Melancholy Born of Brothel Culture, Late 18th Century The rakugo story "Omitate" is a classic of Kansai rakugo, set in the brothels of Osaka's Shinmachi district in the late 18th century, where laughter and sorrow intertwine. Kiroku goes to see his favorite courtesan, Ogin, but is told by the brothel owner that she is ill. Instead, he is offered a substitute woman to "meet." The ensuing exchange between the suspicious yet persistent Kiroku and the proprietor, who piles on excuses, comically depicts the ambiguous boundary between fiction and reality. Eventually, the substitute reveals her true identity, leading to a comedic conclusion. This story carries a shadow beyond mere humor, rooted in the intertwining of truth and fiction inherent within the brothel system and the harsh realities of a courtesan's labor. Each performer emphasizes different aspects: Yonechō builds refined humor through layers of polite excuses, Zakoba highlights the brothel
owner's agitation, and Nankō foregrounds Kiroku's comical nature. Through masterful direction, the piece achieves a profound depth where human emotion and laughter intertwine.