London Boots Ichi-go Ni-go
Encyclopedia
London Boots Ichi-gō Ni-gō (ロンドンブーツ1号2号, meaning "London Boots #1 #2") are a Japanese comedy
duo (kombi) that originally performed manzai
-style stand-up, but now are mainly known for their TV
appearances and as hosts of a handful of off-the-wall variety show
s. The two members are Atsushi Tamura
(田村淳) and Ryō Tamura (田村亮), and though they have the same surname
, there is no relation and they in fact come from very different backgrounds. Atsushi hails from Yamaguchi
, and speaks with the standard accent of someone from Tokyo
. Ryō, on the other hand, is from Takatsuki, Osaka
and speaks in a sometimes faltering Osaka dialect.
The two met through independent comedy groups in Tokyo, and eventually coupled and began performing on the highly populated streets of Shibuya
. They auditioned to enter Yoshimoto Kogyo
in 1994 at the same time as Penalty and DonDokoDon and were accepted by the company. After appearing on U-tchan Nan-chan's "UN Factory Kabosuke", they quickly found fame as they were recognized as two very talented manzai-shi (stand-up comedians). Though Ryō was most passionate about creating new manzai neta and arranging manzai acts, the much louder Atsushi began to see the potential of TV and his own ability to adapt to it. By the late 90's, London Boots, or Lonboo (ロンブー, ronbū) as they are often called in Japan, had already landed a spot as the hosts of their own show.
Ryo and Atsushi take very different approaches to their humor; while Atsushi will often wield his quick-witted comedic sense at his guests' expense, Ryō appears much more polite, attempting (often unsuccessfully) to correct Atsushi's behavior. (Atsushi has revealed Ryō's sexual trysts at various fuuzoku locations on the air, though Ryō is married and has children.) Ryō tends to speak with a mixed Osaka and Tokyo dialect (for example: それ、あかんだろ (sore, akan daro), mixing akan, common in the Kansai dialect, with daro, most common in standard Japanese), which only serves to accentuate his efforts at being polite. The irony of this situation is that Atsushi is supposed to be the boke and Ryō the tsukkomi, which suggests a reversal of their comedic roles.
Owarai
is a broad word used to describe Japanese comedy as seen on television. The word owarai is the honorific form of the word warai, meaning "a laugh" or "a smile". Owarai is most common on Japanese variety shows and the comedians are referred to as owarai geinin or owarai tarento...
duo (kombi) that originally performed manzai
Manzai
is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japanese culture, which usually involves two performers —a straight man and a funny man —trading jokes at great speed...
-style stand-up, but now are mainly known for their TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
appearances and as hosts of a handful of off-the-wall variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
s. The two members are Atsushi Tamura
Atsushi Tamura
is a famous Japanese comedian from Hiko Island near Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.He and his partner, , form the known as . Though the two share the same surname, there is no family relation. The pair started their career by performing comedy on the streets of Tokyo.-Early life:Before...
(田村淳) and Ryō Tamura (田村亮), and though they have the same surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
, there is no relation and they in fact come from very different backgrounds. Atsushi hails from Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.- History :...
, and speaks with the standard accent of someone from Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Ryō, on the other hand, is from Takatsuki, Osaka
Takatsuki, Osaka
is a city located in Osaka, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 353,881 and the density of 3,360 persons per km². The total area is 105.31 km².The city was founded on January 1, 1943 and is located almost directly between Kyoto and Osaka...
and speaks in a sometimes faltering Osaka dialect.
The two met through independent comedy groups in Tokyo, and eventually coupled and began performing on the highly populated streets of Shibuya
Shibuya, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
. They auditioned to enter Yoshimoto Kogyo
Yoshimoto Kogyo
is a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate, with its headquarters based in Osaka. It was founded in 1912 as a traditional theatre, and has since grown to be one of the most influential companies in Japan, employing most of Japan's popular owarai talent, producing and promoting the shows they...
in 1994 at the same time as Penalty and DonDokoDon and were accepted by the company. After appearing on U-tchan Nan-chan's "UN Factory Kabosuke", they quickly found fame as they were recognized as two very talented manzai-shi (stand-up comedians). Though Ryō was most passionate about creating new manzai neta and arranging manzai acts, the much louder Atsushi began to see the potential of TV and his own ability to adapt to it. By the late 90's, London Boots, or Lonboo (ロンブー, ronbū) as they are often called in Japan, had already landed a spot as the hosts of their own show.
Ryo and Atsushi take very different approaches to their humor; while Atsushi will often wield his quick-witted comedic sense at his guests' expense, Ryō appears much more polite, attempting (often unsuccessfully) to correct Atsushi's behavior. (Atsushi has revealed Ryō's sexual trysts at various fuuzoku locations on the air, though Ryō is married and has children.) Ryō tends to speak with a mixed Osaka and Tokyo dialect (for example: それ、あかんだろ (sore, akan daro), mixing akan, common in the Kansai dialect, with daro, most common in standard Japanese), which only serves to accentuate his efforts at being polite. The irony of this situation is that Atsushi is supposed to be the boke and Ryō the tsukkomi, which suggests a reversal of their comedic roles.