NEWS

ICU Student Wins Prize at the 10th Amagasaki Rakugo Tournament

Update: January 17, 2025

On December 15th 2024, Akane Itagaki, a second-year student at the College of Liberal Arts, participated in the 10th Amagasaki Rakugo Tournament held at the Chikamatsu Memorial Hall in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. She won the award for excellence.

This competition, held in Amagasaki City - home to living national treasure Katsura Beicho - is held every year for university students as part of an initiative to support young people's efforts to pursue their dreams.

Itagaki, who performs under the stage name Sakaitei Apo, is a member of the ICU Rakugo Club. She performed "Okiku no Sara" at the competition this year. She is also an ICU Peace Bell Scholarship Scholar, and as an ICU student, she is deepening and expanding her studies with high aspirations.

　

Comments by the Awardee

I am very happy and honored!
I think I was able to win this award because of my family and the members of the ICU Rakugo Club, who always support me and give me feedback.

The ICU Rakugo Club is a club that is not "-ish".
Our main activities are weekly meetings, the Mitaka Yose event, which we host once a semester, and participating in the annual Kubb National Tournament.
It's not very "ICU-ish" or "Rakugo-club-ish"
It's also only been around for eight years since this club is founded, so it's still pretty new.
I really like this club for being non "-ish".
We're not bound by strict rules, nor are we too laid-back; we all enjoy doing what each member wants to do.
I think that "non-ish" atmosphere is the reason why ICU Rakugo Club is comfortable.

I'm very grateful for have been able to represent ICU Rakugo Club in a competition where I could interact with wonderful participants from other universities.

I don't feel that I have reached the level of our great seniors in rakugo just yet, but I will work much harder and improve my skills with my wonderful members in the ICU Rakugo Club, in our "non-ish" way.

Lastly, I would like to appreciate all the people who I have met in this two years. If you're interested in our performance, please come and see Mitaka Yose we hold every semester at ICU. Of course, we're looking forward for new members as well!!