Give your students an unforgettable experience of Japanese culture 🇯🇵 and comedy with Showko, a world-renowned Japanese ventriloquist, traditional Rakugo performer, and comedian Showko.
Showko delivers engaging performances, workshops, and incursions for primary, secondary, and university students.
Her Ventriloquist Comedy shows with Rakugo – Japan’s 400-year-old art of comic storytelling – offer a unique cultural experience that entertains, educates, and leaves a lasting impression.
Offering tailored school performances for 1. Japanese Cultural Shows & Workshops, OR
2. Engaging Creative School Incursions for schools across all year levels.
1. Japanese Cultural Shows & Workshops
Perfect for schools teaching Japanese language and culture.
Engaging, educational and entertaining, Showko introduces students to the world of Japanese culture and storytelling through Ventriloquism Comedy and traditional Rakugo.
What’s included:
Rakugo Performance: Japan’s 400-year-old art of traditional comic storytelling, adapted for young Aussie audiences.
Ventriloquism Rakugo: A combination of modern ventriloquism with traditional Rakugo and handmade puppets.
Interactive Workshop: Students learn about Rakugo’s history, techniques, and even try a few storytelling actions themselves!
Cross-cultural Connection: Ideal for Japanese language students, cultural immersion days or Asia Week programs.
2. Engaging Creative School Incursions
Designed for general primary, secondary & university students.
Fun, interactive and filled with laughs, these incursions bring something totally different to your school’s cultural, drama, or wellbeing program.
Why schools love Showko’s incursions:
Comedy Meets Culture: A mix of ventriloquism, comedy and storytelling that captivates all ages.
Boosts Creativity: Inspires confidence, curiosity, and self-expression through performance arts.
Tailored to Age Groups: Adaptable content for both primary, secondary and university levels.
Perfect for: Drama classes, Incursion days, cultural programs, enrichment activities or just a special treat for students.
Ventriloquism Rakugo for Schools
Many schools continue to book Showko’s engaging and inspiring shows year after year.
With a variety of performances to choose from, students always discover something new each time she visits! Using stories based on traditional Rakugo—a 400-year-old Japanese comedic storytelling art—Showko brings timeless tales to life with a modern twist. She adapts each performance to suit different age groups, adding humor and heart that resonates with students from primary school to university. Through laughter, students not only learn about Japanese culture but also valuable life lessons they’ll carry with them.
These are a small selection of stories recommended for schools:
1. “Only One”
Each of Showko’s unique puppet characters has their own quirks and insecurities—just like many kids and teens. In this heartfelt and funny show, we explore the message:
“You are beautiful just as you are. You are perfect being yourself. There’s only one YOU in the whole world.”
A fun and uplifting journey of self-acceptance and confidence.
2. “No War but Wa!”
What happens when two puppet friends suddenly start fighting… and it escalates into an all-out school war?
In this comedic yet meaningful story, students learn about the Japanese concept of “Wa” (和)—which represents harmony, peace, and balance. A powerful message about friendship, empathy, and the importance of peaceful resolution.
3. “Compliment”
At first, one of the puppets gives compliments just to get what he wants. As he keeps going, he realizes that making people happy by seeing their best qualities brings a different kind of joy.This humorous and heartwarming story teaches students the power of genuine kindness: how giving a simple compliment can brighten someone’s day, create connection, and bring true happiness—not just to others, but to ourselves too.
Book Your School Performances, Incursions and Workshops Today!
Don’t miss out on bringing Showko’s unique blend of comedy and culture to your school. Our shows are highly sought after, so book now to ensure an unforgettable educational experience.
Why Choose Showko for Your School school incursion or performance?
Diverse Offerings:
Whether it’s ventriloquist comedy or the cultural depth of Rakugo, the shows provide unique and engaging content.
Interactive Learning:
Our shows are designed to be interactive, informative and entertaining, ensuring students are actively engaged and learning in a fun environment.
Professional Performer:
Showko is a professionally trained and highly experienced performer with a 20 year career who is passionate about inspiring students.
Customizable Programs:
Adaptable for All Ages: Showko tailors the show to suit students from primary school to university, ensuring age-appropriate and engaging content.
Reviews
PRIMARY SCHOOL SHOW
Puppet Rakugo is based on a Japanese Traditional Comic Storytelling art form with over 400 years of history. Showko’s handmade puppets antics and comedy capture children’s hearts, laughter and imagination while learning it’s wonderful to be different.
But why comedy? Why not through music or other art forms? Because laughter is very important for not just mental health but also study. When students laugh, their brains create Alpha waves and endorphins and so grow their concentration force, improving their memory and absorbing new information.
As all schools are different, Showko can adjust shows to suit student age groups and class sizes. If you have many students she can divide them into 2-3 groups and adapt the content to suit their learning, understanding and age groups.
Rakugo Mime: Sensu (folding fan) and Tenugui (handkerchief)
Rakugo Music: Guess the sound effects of Rakugo made by a Japanese instruments.
Ninja Ken Ventriloquist Show: He grabs kids hearts and makes them laugh and scream with his antics while learning the concept of ‘Wa’ (harmony) and Japanese language.
‘Puppet Rakugo’: Award winning art form recognised by the Japanese Government. Choose one from these stories:
Monster’s Theatre: Japanese Yokai teach students its wonderful to be different.
Save Our Planet: Ninja Ken and Johnny the Koala fight for the environment
50 minutes
Rakugo introduction
Rakugo music
Rakugo workshop with student participation
Showko picks stories depending on the audience or teacher’s request.
Rakugo: Selected from many traditional stories.
Puppet Rakugo stories: based on a traditional Rakugo story with puppets.
Cherries: Based on a surreal traditional story
Sushi Dictator: Sushi Master tries to make innovative sushi
Only One: Japanese Yokai (Mythical creatures) teach students it’s wonderful to be different
50 minutes
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Created for older students, the performance goes deeper into Japanese storytelling and culture through Rakugo.
Showko will explain technique, characters, music, props etc and invite students to participate with a workshop.
“Amazing rakugo performance and workshop. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves…” Mt Waverley Secondary
UNIVERSITY
Created for university students, the performance goes deeper into Japanese storytelling and culture through Rakugo.
Showko explains techniques, characters, music, props etc and invite students to participate with a workshop with lot’s of Q&A.
“Her show was amazing and so hilarious.” Washington University
Rakugo introduction
Rakugo music
Rakugo workshop with student participation
Showko picks stories depending on the audience or teacher’s request.
Rakugo: Selected from many traditional stories.
Puppet Rakugo stories: based on a traditional Rakugo story with puppets.
Cherries: Based on a surreal traditional story
Sushi Dictator: Sushi Master tries to make innovative sushi
Only One: Japanese Yokai (Mythical creatures) teach students it’s wonderful to be different
50 minutes
