This week, I decided to try to redeem myself by again exposing myself to Japanese comedy. This time though, I watched the video “桂かい枝 入門・やさしい日本語『ハサミの法則』,” featuring a performance of the Japanese performing art of rakugo ( 落語) instead of manzai (漫才) which I previously viewed . Both rakugo and manzai are comedic artforms. But whereas the humor of a manzai performance relies on the exchange between two performers, in rakugo a single performer entertains the audience with a comedic story or anecdote. Although the performer spoke very quickly, I was able to comprehend his speech surprisingly well. Narrating a humorous anecdote in a style that reminded me of stand-up comedy, the rakugo performer spoke about his experience with foreigners in Japan. Specifically, he described his encounter with a Spanish lady who was visiting in Japan and how he had to utilize a speech-style called hasami no housoku ( ハサミの法則) to explain different concepts to the lady. Hasami no housoku (鋏の法則) ...