Editing Comedy club (section)

=== Japan ===
The emergence of Japanese comedy clubs can be traced back to the 18th century with the establishment of [[Yose]] theatres. These early iterations were constructed for various forms of entertainment, such as [[Kōdan]], [[Rōkyoku]], [[Rakugo]], and other varieties.

Over the years, a notable convergence occurred between [[Yose]] and [[Rakugo]], with the two becoming increasingly intertwined. In contemporary times, the majority of [[Yose]] theatres exclusively feature [[Rakugo]] performances, underscoring the prevalent association between [[Yose]] theatres and this particular form of comedic storytelling.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

[[Rakugo]] is a traditional Japanese storytelling art where a hanashika enacts stories by embodying characters through distinct voices, gestures, and wordplay. The narratives typically conclude with a punch line, referred to as "[[ochi]]," akin to the structure observed in contemporary [[stand-up comedy]], which often utilizes punchlines and wordplay for comedic effect. In this way, Yose were the first comedy clubs hosting stand-up comedians (hanashikas) through the art of [[Rakugo]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brau |first=Lorie |title=Rakugo: performing comedy and cultural heritage in contemporary Tokyo |date=2008 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-0-7391-2245-7 |location=Lanham, Boulder, New York, Tronto, Plymouth, UK |pages=1–2}}</ref>

The first [[Yose]] theatre was organized in 1798 by Karaku Sanshotei 1st at the Shitaya-jinja Shrine in [[Shitaya]], [[Tokyo]]. The stone monument commemorating the birthplace of [[Yose]] is located in this shrine, initially referred to as yoseba before later adopting the term "yose." Towards the end of the [[Edo period]], multiple Yose theatres emerged, providing a primary source of entertainment in towns where options were limited.

The subsequent [[Meiji era|Meiji]] and [[Taishō era|Taisho]] eras witnessed the appearance of large-scale [[Yose]] theatres. However, with the advent of various entertainments like television, the number of visitors to Yose establishments significantly declined, leading to closures. In recent years, the dwindling interest in performance arts within Yose has resulted in the survival of only a few [[Yose]] theatres. Consequently, the overall Yose industry faces challenging business conditions as it contends with changing entertainment preferences.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}