On November 1st, his junior apprentice, Shunputei Ikkyu, was promoted to the futatsume rank.

Finally.
Normally, it takes about four years from start to reach second rank, but it took Ikkyu about six years.
Master Kokontei Shincho has long been a real master (although that is unusual in itself).
In fact, promotion to the futatsume rank has nothing to do with rakugo technique.
It only varies slightly depending on the timing, but anyone can become one when their turn comes.
And in recent years, it has grown to this extent due to the influence of the dreaded coronavirus.
Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic, I was promoted within four years of joining the company.
When I asked him later why he was so quick,
The promotion is decided by the Rakugo Association's board of directors (a monthly meeting of the board of directors, consisting of masters),
"The upper ranks of junior actors work hard, so I think it would be good to promote them early."
Apparently, the idea came up.
This is not humility or anything; I was a poor opening act.
He was like an earpick; he was there when you didn't really need him, but disappeared when it was crucial.
However, they are what are known as "super opening acts," with one of their contemporaries appearing once every few years.
From his demeanor in the dressing room to his musical instrument skills, he is first class in everything he does. His teachers are so impressed that they almost give him gifts.
The work I did was so amazing that for some reason I was treated like "the most capable person among my peers."
It's the same as with large idol groups where, even though it's not that great if you look closely, everyone looks cute because they have an outstanding center.
Because I was promoted for such a reason, I was hated by the juniors just below me.
Of course it was. I ended up being an undercard for about two years longer than someone who started at the same time as me.
If I were a junior, I would put poppy seeds in Yoichi's tea.
I'm starting to worry whether the thing standing in the tea I received the other day was really a tea leaf.

I get nervous every day when I perform my second piece.
I was especially nervous during the first ten days because my master Ichinosuke was scheduled to perform right after me.
On the first day, he performed a story he had learned from his master called "The Careless Nail," and when it was time to switch places, he said, "I want to do it again just like that."
I will never forget how terrible my performance was.
For the next ten days, my turn will come after alternating performances by Master Ichiba and Master Shozo.
It's later, right?
Usually, they perform after the side acts, and then the main performers come on stage.
On the contrary, after the president and vice president of our Rakugo Association.
It's happy power harassment.
The first day will feature Master Ichiba.
When he came down, the master himself returned the performance.
He got the crowd excited by encouraging applause.
I later heard that it was his first return performance in 30 years.
I don't remember what I said after that.
I still dream about it.
I wake up in surprise when Master Ichiba comes downstairs.
It's almost like first love.

I'm sure you spend every day like this, with no time off.
Please come along and see this newly promoted performer's sparkling performance.
Don't forget to give a gift.

*I am always accepting applications.

Biography
Shunputei Yoichi
Born April 5, 1998
In March 2017, he became a disciple of Shunputei Ichinosuke.
He became a junior performer on January 21 of the following year. His junior performer name was "Yoichi."
Promoted to ni-dan on March 1, 2021.