Owarai, Japanese comedy

In order to laugh comfortably at Owarai (お笑い), the Japanese comedy, you have to know Japanese culture. If you are watching owarai and not able to laugh, then there is a certain possiblity you just don't know the background of basic Japanese culture.
In my opinion, owarai is one of the deepest Japanese culture, meaning it's one of the hardest to interpret for foreigners. 

Level of understanding owarai differs depends on types of owarai. For now I can say two of the major types are the manzai (漫才) and conte (コント).

For example, take this conte by Japanese comedian, Bakarhythm (バカリズム).

Simply put, it's about this lord welcoming guests of entertainers and judging their skills. 

BUT, in order to understand this conte, I think you have to know these two culture factors at least. Of course there are many other elements making up this wonderful conte but for now I want mention these two.

1. Ikkyu-san (一休さん)

2. show biz industry in Japan

Ikkyu-san is super famous folktale in Japan. I think it's impossible to find Japanese people who never heard of Ikkyu-san. You just have to know the story of this Ikkyu the monk kid, otherwise even if you are able to listen each of words Bakarhythm is saying, I assume you have no idea why audience is laughing, then your face should be a monk who achieved some kind of enlightenment. ( ˙-˙ )

This lord and guest scene reminds me of director and comedian in an audition at Japanese show biz industry. I think it's pretty common in many countries to have this kind of auditon scene. What's little unique about Japan is that there are thousands of comedians with different styles and skills to make people laugh, and director has to identify which of them are capable of entertaining the viewers. The last words he says before black out strongly connects to Japanese show biz industry implying rotation/cycles of comedians are fast.

Owarai is just a comedy yet also an intellectual culture game. Such an art. 

CJ