Background
Ryushi VII was born in Tokyo, 1905.
流水
Ryushi VII was born in Tokyo, 1905.
He became pupil of Shumpfltei Ryushi V.
First called himself Shimeta and then Mutsumi-no-Taro. Was promoted to shin-uchi (star performer ) while appearing under the stage name of Hakushi. Again changed his name to Ryutei Shiraku. Eventually succeeded his master to the name of Shumputei Ryushi becoming the 7th person to bear that honorary stage title (1944).
In his youth his story was marked solely by a light touch. Since then his rakugo has come to assume a new element of suggestiveness. He also has struck up new devices in ochi, which is the word play with which each rakugo ends. He has a stage in his private house and is using it to train young rakugo storytellers. Among his favorite stories are Yonin-guse (Four Man and Their Habits) and Miyatogaiva (The Miyato River).