How to be Funny in Japan - Japanese Sense of Humor

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

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[@jameswoodard4304]

In the US, we do not make jokes about religion, politics, and race because they are easy to talk about. It is actually the opposite. Comedians will find subjects that are controversial and tense, and make light of them in ways that make the audience see the subject from a different angle. It is a way to discuss things most people would never converse about in public. It is like going to a masseuse or chiropractor. They feel around until they find a point of tension, and then they press hard into it, which is uncomfortable for a moment but actually releases the tension and feels really good. If you have something that is serious and controversial, then people likely wont want to talk about it. But if the subject is left ignored as if it doesn't exist, it will only get worse and cause more tension. Playing with controversial subjects, when done correctly, is meant to increase understanding and peace among people. There is also a sense of shock-humor when people think, "I can't believe he said that!" This is only one style of comedy, though. We also have people who make humorous references to things that everyone in the audience relates to. These are funny because the individual in the audience is thinking, "I have thought that same exact thing myself but thought I was the only one." It is like sharing an "inside joke" with friends, except there are many of you and you are all strangers. Their are also some comedians who take the shock-humor too far, and simply being offensive is the entire point of the show. No social commentary or perspective. Just crude and offensive statements. Thankfully, audiences seem to be getting tired of these over time. I also find it funny that Japanese people essentially need permission to laugh, because they don't want to be innapropriate. This is contrasted with an aspect of American stand-up where the comedian will intentionally make it ambiguous, and the awkwardness of thinking you are perhaps laughing at something innapropriate, and the comedian playing with the audience's expectations are a big part of the humor.

[@jellechristiaans6838]

I also feel like the reason for why this doesn't happen in Japanese comedy is not quite as they said. Surely Japan has its societal issues and surely there's people with diverging opinions on things. I'm no expert, but my impression is that Japanese people being very much "in harmony" (as they say in the video), not wanting to offend other people and being (stereotypically) overtly polite, addressing this type of topic is a bad choice because it means almost instant controversy and (potential) offence. Sticking to aru-aru is safe: you will hardly offend anyone.

[@PsychicAlchemy]

I saw a study this year about how a person's primary language affects their thought patterns. They tested German and Arabic; the German speakers all thought more with the left side of their brain, but Arabic used both sides more equally. I suspect that Japanese make a lot of use of the right side of the brain, which is better at dealing with context and relationships. I've been thinking about this, and how it might affect culture more generally. Here's my theory: Western countries, particularly among the Germanic languages, think of things in a highly-ordered way with distinct categories, and we often struggle with context and ambiguity. Our spiritual systems attempt to evoke spirituality by setting things in their right place; spirits must be summoned in order to be present. Thus, western comedy often seeks to highlight an elusive context, either by noticing it directly or inverting normal logic. Japan thinks of things in terms of context, so ambiguity is easier to deal with. Things don't need to be so distinct. But this can sometimes result in passiveness and avoidance, because directly enforcing strict barriers could disrupt the harmony. In Japan, spirituality is innate and everywhere at all times, thus the ability for artists to convey emotion with such ease. Shinto has no need for strict rules or lifestyles, but there is a hidden order to things that is perhaps not obvious at first. Although my knowledge on Japanese comedy is limited, it seems like it's about setting things in order. "That's silly, _this_ is the way it's done!"

[@VatticTV]

Double act comedy is really common in the UK too. It also involves a straight man (tsukkomi) and a funny man (boke). We even have examples with a lot of physical violence from the frustrated straight man.

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Oh!! That’s great to know! Thank you for letting us know about it😆🙌

[@PsychicAlchemy]

Indeed, this kind of comedy also exists in America but it's much more common in the UK. I think British comedy is a more similar to Japanese than American comedy is. American comedy is often about an individual's wittiness and observation, whereas British and Japanese comedy are more about social or life situations.

[@madness_bomb9601]

I'm from neither the US nor Japan but for some reason i can really get japanese humor more

[@lynhana]

I noticed they have a different sense of humor and with your video I have now more knowledge about it. Thank you for your hard work.

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

We're glad that you could learn something from the video🙌 Thank you for watching the video!! 🍔🍙

[@alex-rv-uk]

This is the first Riceburger video I've seen, I shall watch some more, good job!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Aww thank you for finding us!! 🥹 Hope you'll like other videos~~!

[@lizstockwell3209]

Very interesting. In America two people on stage was common a long time ago and solo stand up developed over time. The most famous example of a comedy duo is Abbott and Costello performing “who’s on first.” Still some modern stand up comedians perform in duos but it’s quite rare.

[@Guito93]

I love japanese comedy and I'm always interested in looking for new types of japanese media. Since I moved to Japan I noticed a lot more of cultural nuances than the ones I was exposed to while studying japanese in Brazil. Thank you for the overview on this theme and various others!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

You are right!! 💯 The cultural nuances can be pretty different from the ones you learn in school. It can definitely depend on the locals and people who you are talking to! Hope this video can help you understand a little bit of Japanese comedy 🙌

[@teruhashipleasenocrimefav5815]

O humor brasileiro é transformar coisas estranhas no nosso país em risível e palatavel. O do Japão é o oposto usa o nosense pra rir e trazer conforto.

[@EmilyRafferty]

ahhhhh this is the channel ive been searching for!!! ahhhh yesssss

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

We're so glad if we're helpful for you!! 😀 Thank you for watching!

[@jamiesondgentlemen]

Love it. These videos are quality. Thank you!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Thank you so much, Jamieさん！ We’ll make more and more!😆

[@rlsimpso]

Nice explanation. It helps understand Sandwichman a bit more.

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Sandwichman 😂😂 They are ones of my favorite! 🌟 Thank you for your comment 🍔🍙

[@LacklustreLena]

A very concise and entertaining video - thanks for making this! :)

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Thank you for saying that😆 Glad you found it entertaining~~!

[@user-wr9gg1qi7p]

Here is one unsophisticated explanation from Japanese... The reason American joke is not considered "funny" in Japan is may be Japanese ppl really hate to be considered かっこつけてる(trying to act like a really cool) when they are exposing some humor. Ahh...I know u still don't get it. American joke is logical (e.g. joke of start of this vid). We Japanese think it like oh it's smart logic or oh that's smart but not it's funny. It's JUST a logical riddle to us. As I said before, Japanese ppl hate being seen like trying to be cool when they making joke or something, so they think saying these like "smart logical riddle" is like you are trying to emphasize how smart you are. So they feel it's lame not funny. Hmm... def it's far from a good explanation but hope u guys understands this. Once my mother watched FULL HOUSE, and she said "I really can't get what is the funny point? Why are they laughing? Plus they really trying to act like a cool person ehh that's lame... can't stand it!" These like context of comedy is completely a new thing to her so she could not laugh. However, she get to find what is supposed to be funny in the show slowly, now FULL HOUSE is one of her favorites. (And sorry my english is far from perfect too😢)

[@CapnNapalm]

American sit-coms (situation comedys) often are based on simple characters creating comedy by interacting with each other. For example, the "cool guy" and the "akward guy" will often get into funny situations when paired together. Unfortunately, this usually requires the viewer to become familiar with the characters first so they can understand why they act the way they do. A sit-com often is not very funny until you find an episode that suddenly makes you laugh. Then the other ones start making you laugh too

[@omwst1946]

There are European and American equivalents to Manzai: in the USA, the most famous comic-and-straightman pairing that I have heard of is Abbott and Costello, while we in the UK have Morecambe and Wise and various others such as Cannon and Ball, and Jewel and Warris from the 1950s.

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Thanks for teaching me the interesting fact, Richardさん！ I learned a new fun thing from you😌

[@oji_weeb]

Typical foreign contrarian here to point to some similarities that would help in understanding the flavor of "uniquely" Japanese comedy. Comedy duos with a "banana-man" and a "straight-man" were pretty common in the past in the US. Think of Abbott and Costello, Martin and (Jerry) Lewis. Can't think of any off-hand these days, but I don't get around much anymore. Jerry Seinfeld is famous for his little observations about everyday nothings, like his parents' obsession with squishing together used up bars of soap to use up every last bit. I think that might be pretty similar to "aru-aru" humor. I guess Manzai is the most popular kind of comedy in Japan, but there's a good deal of variety, too. personally, my favorite kind of Japanese humor is the "conte", the extended skits on a bare stage with minimal props -- Baka Rhythm, Ramens, A-Masson. I guess the situational, visual aspects make it easier for me to follow as Japanese learner. But, hey, no love for Hakata Niwaka? Nice job. I'll be coming back for more!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Wow! You know different aspects of Japanese comedy! And I didn't know about "Hakata Niwaka"! Thank you for sharing the thoughts😌

[@oji_weeb]

@@RiceBurgerStudios from my experience, there are good reasons Hakata Niwaka is not that famous.😂

[@PatheticEnSTAY]

Lolllllllll 😂 great video as always!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

いつも見てくれてありがとう😂🍔🍙

[@PatheticEnSTAY]

いつも素晴らしいビデオを提供してくれてありがとう!ハンバーガーを食べる時間

[@Kou-kun_From_Touhikou]

2:03 the english pronunciation caught me off guard 💀

[@tournaline3448]

Japanese comedy hasn’t changed since the invention of the television. They even go to “comedy school” to learn the “rules” of being a comedian.

[@黒茶好き]

結構参考になりました

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

よかったです😊 ありがとうございます〜！！

[@brandonhaygood5286]

I'm always interested in trying to find comparisons between american and Japanese comedians. Like what Japanese comedian is most similar to Dave Chappelle? Or Robin Williams or Bil Burr or Jim Gaffigan.

[@vivianidelacerda9708]

This is a lot of work, thanks...

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Thank you for watching :)

[@TheHabsification]

There seems to be an interesting aspect that requires a combination of permission and social pressure when it's appropriate to laugh at the joke. The thing that confuses me is are you laughing at the joke because it's genuinely funny, or are you laughing because is funny, but needed permission to laugh because you weren't sure when to laugh, or are you laughing because you don't want to feel left out so you laugh at the joke because everyone else is laughing just to go a long with it. This style of comedy that's popular in Japan also exists outside of Japan(like my country the UK), but it isn't popular. I think it's viewed as sort of lazy, because you require another person to make sure your joke is funny almost like a hype man. You need another person there to reassure that you're telling a joke and it's a funny joke as opposed let's say for example: Dave Chappelle or Jimmy Carr they're on their own on stage and they tell a joke and it's funny because of it's own merit.

[@Shin-ft7mh]

If i make a joke does a random tsukkomi pops out of nowhere and would he find my joke funny?

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Yes! As long as their Tsukkomi is good enough, you and him would look funny! 😆

[@Shin-ft7mh]

​@@RiceBurgerStudiosguess ill have to try it then , i hope the tsukkomi is good😅

[@ValirAmaril]

Vince Noir - Boke, Howard Moon - Tsukkomi

[@drakelau2202]

its called相声 in china i believe

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Oh!! I think that's right!! I didn't know that existed in China 😳👏

[@thompsonnoel]

Is the structure in manzai ever subverted? Are there comedians who play with the form?

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Actually it's pretty common for comedians to switch the roles between the two people in the group! 👍 Also in daily lives, I personally switch the two roles depending on who I'm talking too😂

[@mztoman]

I will send you sake!😂❤❤

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Awww thank you so much😂🥴🍙🍶

[@d3thtr4p10]

It’s kinda obvious that culture not only defines what is funny, but also shapes how and when we (are supposed to) react to it. It’s still kinda weird looking at this from a western perspective. It’s almost like the sideman is holding up a laugh sign, kinda like the audience in a sitcom. Maybe a Japanese person could react to this. Do you laugh because you actually think it’s funny or because of social pressure?

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Most of the time we laugh when we think it's funny! But if there is a situation that we laugh because of social pressure, it might be like when the boss or seniors say joke 😂 We tend to laugh to make them feel better even if it's not funny🤣

[@brandonhaygood5286]

​@@RiceBurgerStudiosWhat's funny that is far from being an exclusively Japanese thing.

[@bnooper]

Since you mentioned that there is an other person there to let the viewers know EXACTLY when they can laugh, I was wondering if you can get a death sentence or something in Japan if you laugh when you're not supposed to?

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Although you don't get such a severe judgement, I think you will just get a cold look if you laugh when you're not supposed to. And Lately, I think the definition of the point of "when you're supposed to laugh" has been changing. For example, it was considered funny to make fun of someone's appearance 10 years ago, but now I think people tend to think it's not good to make fun of it.

[@ManBehindTheMask]

日本人は「Peep Show」好きですか？それはボケとツッコミを思い出します !!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

日本でも「Peep Show」はNetflixでみれますが、ぼくはまだみたことがないです！日本のボケとツッコミと比較してみるのも面白そうですね😆

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Japanese comedy is World No. 1!!!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

Yay!! It absolutely is!! 😂 Nice username!! 🐙😂

[@omgitsbee6167]

Is the cheeseburger an American? And the rice cake is a Japanese? That's hilariously racist! I love it!

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

😂😂😂 Thanks!!

[@papayongsarninei8133]

不就是对口相声一捧一逗呗

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

🤣👍

[@peturyankulov5595]

Western comedy usually involves laughing at the other person or his behaviour. Japanese comedy has more respect and this is really deep. They are true people and never lie to you. When I went back to Bulgaria ( my home country) I no more consider our behaviour as good and optimal.

[@RiceBurgerStudios]

I'm honored to have such a nice comment from you! 🙇‍♂️☺️ But I'm sure people from you home country also are respectful and kind too! Every behavior has a reason to be carried out - I think it's important to see the background behind it😌

[@maapaa2010]

Japanese comedy is not unqiue... It's called slap stick humour... Oh i have funny looking hair or dress like a girl but i am a man.. some people like that sort of thing but i personally like whitty humour. In Japan take for example the fact that almost every comedian comes from one preference... Osaka.. Most Japanese aren't very funny.. just really Osaka... There are no real stand up comedians either, Japanese humour is either a skit or like reality t.v, game shows, etc.. I suppose its just weird or rediculous.. its kind of like Mr. Bean or Charlie Chaplin. Infact Mr. Bean is humour that Japanese can find quite funny.. of all comedy of u.k i noticed so it says it all. One game show i loved was Takeshis castle, its funny because the game show is rediculous and over the top. I mean, people are battling the emerald guard like dressing up as a pin and having a giant bowling ball thrown down a hill and they need to be standing at the end.. its rediculous and funny lol😂 Please don't make a KZbin video giving your opinion but not researching the topic otherwise you come across as closed minded or ill-informed.