Jul 03 (NHK) - One of Japan's best-known rakugo storytellers, Katsura Utamaru, has died. He was 81 years old.
The Rakugo Art Association says Utamaru died on Monday from lung disease. He had been the head of the Association since 2004.
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, he became a storyteller's apprentice after graduating from junior high school.
He later became popular as a performer of traditional tales, particularly ghost stories. He also helped revive old tales that had been almost forgotten.
Utamaru was a household name as a regular on the long-running TV comedy show "Shoten" since its launch in 1966.
He became the show's presenter in 2006, continuing until he left the program 2 years ago due to ill health.
The veteran storyteller was honored with a medal -- the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette -- from the government in 2007 for his services to the arts.
Utamaru spent time in hospital on and off in recent years with pulmonary and intestinal conditions.
Despite his ailing health, he appeared on stage in August last year to give his annual summer performances.