Career
He is known as a master of the Japanese comic art of rakugo, in which a single performer or storyteller appears on stage and tells comedic stories to the audience. He was born Yūji Tanoshita (田ノ下 雄二, Tanoshita Yūji). In 1978, he entered Tokai University and joined the college rakugo club
His kōzame (高座名, the stage name of rakugo) then was Tōkaitei Kirido (頭下位亭切奴).
In 1982, he left the university and became a disciple of Shunpūtei Ryūshō (春風亭柳昇). He first used Shōhachi as his stage name.
In 1986, he became futatsume (二ツ目, the middle rank of rakugo) and assumed his current stage name. In 1989, he was promoted to shinuchi (真打, the senior rank of rakugo).
Since May 2006, he has appeared on Shōten as an ogiri (大喜利, ōgiri) member.
Tokaitei Kirido (頭下位亭切奴) (1978-1982)
Shunpūtei Shōhachi (春風亭昇八) (1982-1986)
Shunpūtei Shōta (春風亭 昇太) (since 1986).
