Manzai-Shi
/mɑːnˈzaɪ ʃiː/noun
A performer of manzai, a traditional Japanese comedy style featuring a comedic duo.
Did you know?Manzai began as a New Year’s performance in which paired entertainers offered auspicious words and blessings, linking comedy with ritual fortune-making.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient China
Old Chinese
萬歲
“Ten thousand years; a cry wishing someone extremely long life”
Ancient Japan
Japanese
万歳 (banzai)
“Auspicious cry meaning “ten thousand years,” later associated with New Year’s celebratory performers”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
万歳 (manzai)
“A New Year’s performance by paired entertainers who delivered blessings, song, dance, and wit”
Early 20th Century
Japanese
漫才 (manzai)
“A modernized spelling and form of the comic duo performance tradition”
Modern Japanese
Japanese
漫才師 (manzaishi)
“A manzai comedian or performer; 師 means a master, teacher, or professional”
Modern English
English
manzai-shi
“An English transliteration for a performer of Japanese manzai comedy”