Kokontei Shincho III was a Japanese rakugo performer born in Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

He was the second son of Kokontei Shinsei V, younger brother of Kanbaratei Basso X, niece of actress Ikebata Shino, and nephew by marriage of actor Nakao Akira.

It should be noted that there are two other individuals who used the name "Kokontei Shincho," but both of them did so for a very short period of time. Therefore, when simply referred to as "Kokontei Shincho," it usually refers to the third generation.

Kyoji's name was reportedly given by his father's mentor, the first generation Yanagiya Sangoro, in reference to the Army Memorial Day, the day of his birth.

He studied German at Dokkyo High School. Initially, he dreamed of becoming a diplomat and later enjoyed traveling to Germany every year with his disciples. He aspired to be an actor, with no intention of becoming a rakugo performer.

In March 1959, he was promoted to the rank of junior storyteller. In May 1962, he was promoted to the rank of full-fledged performer.

In May 1978, amid the Rakugo Association split, he briefly left the Rakugo Association to join the Rakugo Sanyukai but returned to the Rakugo Association after just a few days.

On August 1, 1996, he became the vice chairman of the Rakugo Association.

In his youth, he made frequent television appearances and also worked as a comedy actor, but later focused on his primary career as a rakugo performer.

On October 1, 2001, he passed away at his home, surrounded by his wife, sister, and disciples, due to liver cancer. He was 63 years old.

(Souce: Japanese = Wikipedia || Translation = kisskh) Edit Biography