Yasuda Dai Circus
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese comedy
trio, consisting of , HIRO, and . The three are much less about traditional skit or story based stand-up humor (which common in Japanese owarai
), choosing instead to focus on physical humor and a loud, boisterous style that resonates with most manzai
audiences. They formed in 2001, receiving their name from owarai kombi Masuda Okada's Kisuke Masuda in parody of the famous Japanese Circus "Kinoshita Dai Circus". The group's name simply means "Great Yasuda Circus".
) stands out as the huge, lumbering mass of the group, and his obesity-related difficulties are often the topic of the group's jokes. Notably, HIRO is said to look like a Japanese taiko
when he smiles, and the lump of fatty skin on the back of his neck is often pointed out. As can be expected, he is also known for his large appetite, and is often called upon by variety show
s to perform various feats of eating (大食い). In particular he is known for being able to drink a 2-liter bottle of orange fanta
in a mere 10 seconds.
As de facto leader of the group, Danchō (real name Hiromi Yasuda (安田裕己), born April 26, 1974 in Hyōgo
) is probably the least notable character, though he often takes the center stage while performing the groups gags, and is prone to stripping down to his fundoshi
(a traditional Japanese loincloth
) at the end of every performance. Danchō, who was previously a member of the failed group "Yasuda and Takeuchi", is also generally considered to be the tsukkomi of Yasuda Dai Circus.
Kuro-chan (real name Akihiro Kurokawa (黒川明人), born December 10, 1976 in Hiroshima
) is fairly heavy-set, and has a tough look to him, but looks only go so far as he always speaks in a piercing falsetto
. To further boost his image he often adopts feminine mannerisms and acts in a way that is often considered "cute" in Japanese culture. Kuro-chan is prone to lose his temper (he is often taunted for his voice and odd demeanor), and fits into the traditional owarai role as boke.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
trio, consisting of , HIRO, and . The three are much less about traditional skit or story based stand-up humor (which common in Japanese owarai
Owarai
is a broad word used to describe Japanese comedy as seen on television. The word owarai is the honorific form of the word warai, meaning "a laugh" or "a smile". Owarai is most common on Japanese variety shows and the comedians are referred to as owarai geinin or owarai tarento...
), choosing instead to focus on physical humor and a loud, boisterous style that resonates with most manzai
Manzai
is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japanese culture, which usually involves two performers —a straight man and a funny man —trading jokes at great speed...
audiences. They formed in 2001, receiving their name from owarai kombi Masuda Okada's Kisuke Masuda in parody of the famous Japanese Circus "Kinoshita Dai Circus". The group's name simply means "Great Yasuda Circus".
The characters
The group's uniqueness can be attributed to Danchō, HIRO, and Kuro-chan's unconventional characters and strange manner. HIRO (real name Yasuyuki Hirose (広瀬康幸), born April 20, 1977 in WakayamaWakayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.- History :Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.- 1953 Wakayama Prefecture flood disaster :...
) stands out as the huge, lumbering mass of the group, and his obesity-related difficulties are often the topic of the group's jokes. Notably, HIRO is said to look like a Japanese taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
when he smiles, and the lump of fatty skin on the back of his neck is often pointed out. As can be expected, he is also known for his large appetite, and is often called upon by variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
s to perform various feats of eating (大食い). In particular he is known for being able to drink a 2-liter bottle of orange fanta
Fanta
Fanta is a global brand of fruit-flavored carbonated soft drinks from the Coca-Cola Company. There are over 90 flavors worldwide. The drink debuted in Germany in 1941 and originally sold only in Europe.-History:...
in a mere 10 seconds.
As de facto leader of the group, Danchō (real name Hiromi Yasuda (安田裕己), born April 26, 1974 in Hyōgo
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
) is probably the least notable character, though he often takes the center stage while performing the groups gags, and is prone to stripping down to his fundoshi
Fundoshi
is the traditional Japanese undergarment for adult males, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese adult males...
(a traditional Japanese loincloth
Loincloth
A loincloth is a one-piece male garment, sometimes kept in place by a belt, which covers the genitals and, at least partially, the buttocks.-History and types:Loincloths are being and have been worn:*in societies where no other clothing is needed or wanted...
) at the end of every performance. Danchō, who was previously a member of the failed group "Yasuda and Takeuchi", is also generally considered to be the tsukkomi of Yasuda Dai Circus.
Kuro-chan (real name Akihiro Kurokawa (黒川明人), born December 10, 1976 in Hiroshima
Hiroshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.- History :The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded...
) is fairly heavy-set, and has a tough look to him, but looks only go so far as he always speaks in a piercing falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
. To further boost his image he often adopts feminine mannerisms and acts in a way that is often considered "cute" in Japanese culture. Kuro-chan is prone to lose his temper (he is often taunted for his voice and odd demeanor), and fits into the traditional owarai role as boke.
The jokes
Though an essential part of their image, the trio's jokes are repetitive and predictable, and much more popular (though almost as predictable) is the ad libbed humour that is interjected between each of their gags. Some of the groups most well-known gags are:- Dōn, dōn, dōn! Beta-betta! (どーん！どーん！どーん！ベタベッタ). Often chanted after a close-up on HIRO's smiling, sweaty face, this phrase could be said to be the "theme song" of the group. It basically means "Boom, boom, boom! Sweaty sweaty!"; boom being the sound a drum makes, as HIRO's face is said to look like a Japanese taiko when he smiles.
- Dōn, dōn, dōn! Nori-tsukkomi! Daiseikō! (どーん!どーん!どーん! 乗り突っ込み! 大成功!!). This chant, basically meaning "Boom, boom, boom! Self-tsukkomi! Big success!" refers to the way that the group often sets up their own jokes in a very obvious manner; a silly process called nori-tsukkomi. All gags of this type usually end with Danchō marching around with arms straight out signaling a peace sign, while HIRO pumps his fists in the air and Kuro-chan throws confettiConfettiConfetti is a multitude of pieces of paper, mylar or metallic material which is usually thrown at parades and celebrations, especially weddings . Confetti is made in a variety of colors, and commercially available confetti is available in imaginative shapes...
. - Ochi deesu! (オチでーす！). Their short konto (skits) usually end with Danchō's breakaway suit being ripped off, revealing his fundoshiFundoshiis the traditional Japanese undergarment for adult males, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese adult males...
, and all members of the group shout Ochi deesu!, meaning "That's the punchline!".
Media
- In 2008, the Yasuda Dai Circus played Neo Terra's three Executives in Tomica Hero: Rescue Force.
- In K-tai Investigator 7K-tai Investigator 7is a 2008 Japanese television drama that aired from April 2, 2008 to March 18, 2009. It was a joint collaboration between WIZ and Production I.G. Directed by Takashi Miike, it is described as a science fiction tokusatsu action drama. It was replaced in its time slot by an animated cartoon, Mainichi...
. Kuro-Chan made a guest appearance on the show.
- The trio appeared the movie, Bleach: Memories of NobodyBleach: Memories of NobodyBleach: Memories of Nobody is a 2006 animated film adaptation of the anime and manga series Bleach. Directed by Noriyuki Abe and written by Masashi Sogo, the film was first released in Japanese theaters on December 16, 2006. The DVD was released in Japan on September 5, 2007...
, also providing their voices for their anime counterparts. They were seen doing their orange soda and fundoshiFundoshiis the traditional Japanese undergarment for adult males, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese adult males...
acts, before being interrupted by Senna doing her tightrope act above the stage.
External links
- www.shochikugeino.co.jp Yasuda Dai Circus' official profile