{"product_id":"the-signature-acts-of-modern-comedians-in-japan-by-masahiro-shoda","title":"The Signature Acts of Modern Comedians in Japan by Masahiro Shoda","description":"\u003cp\u003eJapanese comedy, though lighthearted, masks fierce competitiveness. Japan has over 10,000 comedians, with about 6,000 affiliated with Yoshimoto Kogyo, the largest talent agency. Few make a living as professional comedians. Success requires winning competitions like the M-1 Grand Prix for manzai duos or sketch comedy contests, often with a unique skit or gag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePhotographer Masahiro Shoda's work encapsulates this dichotomy, creating a lasting record of Japan's unique cultural nuances. Through his lens, we see a Japan that is both serious and whimsical, disciplined yet delightfully unpredictable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShoda's technique is both spontaneous and deliberate. Shooting on costly large-format 4x5 film necessitates a thoughtful approach; he typically takes only seven or eight photos per session, carefully selecting the moment that best captures the comedian's essence. This process demands both technical skill and intuition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Signature Acts of Modern Comedians in Japan\" is now available internationally. Tony Yasumura, known for his appearance on \"Britain's Got Talent,\" graces the cover of the English version. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Masahiro Shoda","offers":[{"title":"O\/S","offer_id":46303534285050,"sku":"MHSD01","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0074\/0062\/0103\/files\/04_Book_1.jpg?v=1719583932","url":"https:\/\/nepenthesamerica.com\/products\/the-signature-acts-of-modern-comedians-in-japan-by-masahiro-shoda","provider":"Nepenthes America","version":"1.0","type":"link"}