Body Language & Tsukkomi (Straight Man) in Rikuryu Interviews
After I posted my last blog on uchi-soto dynamics in interviews with Rikuryu (Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara), a reader suggested I explore their body language, specifically which aspects can be traced to Japanese culture. Some gestures signal closeness while also reflecting patterns from Japanese comedy and everyday interaction. A classic humorous gesture is 腕を叩く ( ude o tataku , tap an arm). Miura often gently slaps or taps Kihara’s arm to correct or lightly criticize him. See this video for an example: This interview took place after the exhibition performance where Kihara zipped up Miura’s dress. Kihara says: 今日は僕がお兄ちゃんでした ( Kyō wa boku ga oniichan deshita , Today I was the big brother), in contrast to the day before, when Miura called herself お姉ちゃん ( oneechan , big sister). In response, Miura gently slaps Kihara on the arm and says なんやねん ( nanyanen , What’s this nonsense?), a Kansai dialect phrase often used in comedy. Miura here plays the ツッコミ ( tsukkomi , straight man [person]) ...
