笑福亭鶴瓶の本当の顔が見える　　【大西二士男氏が写した「笑福亭鶴瓶」】 You can see the true face of Shofukutei Tsurube ["Shofukutei Tsurube" taken by Mr. Fujio Onishi]

NHK総合の番組「鶴瓶の家族に乾杯」の大ファンである。四半世紀を超える長寿番組で、鶴瓶さんとゲストの旅紀行・バラエティ番組として中高齢者の熱いファンに支えられ、20年以上もずっと視聴率15％前後の高視聴率を維持するオバケ番組。その高視聴率をたたき出している理由の一つが鶴瓶さんとその地の人たちとの喋くりのおもしろさ。その人間味あふれる光景が視聴者の心を捉えている。

L am a big fan of the NHK general program "Tsurube's Family Cheers". A long-lived program that lasts for more than a quarter of a century, it is a great program that has maintained a high audience rating of around 15% for more than 20 years, supported by hot fans of middle-aged and elderly people as a travel travelogue and variety show of Mr. Tsurube and guests. One of the reasons for the high audience rating is the fun of talking between Mr. Tsurube and the local people. The humane spectacle captures the hearts of viewers.

私もこの番組を見始めて鶴瓶さんのファンになった。
彼の本業はご存じのとおり落語家さん。若手の頃はちょっとユニークな芸人さんとして活躍し、ときたま世間を騒がす言動もあった。そんな鶴瓶さんが本業の落語に力を入れ始め、最初の全国ツアーの最終日の大阪公演を観に行った。鶴瓶さんの熱演もさることながら通常の落語会では見られない舞台演出や構成がすごかったのを覚えている。

I also started watching this program and became a fan of Mr. Tsurube. As you know, his main business is a rakugoka. When he was young, he was a little unique entertainer, and sometimes he made a noise. Mr. Tsurube began to focus on his main business, rakugo, and went to see his performance in Osaka on the final day of his first national tour. l remember that not only Mr. Tsurube's enthusiastic performance, but also the stage production and composition that can not be seen in ordinary rakugo events were amazing.

以前、仕事の関係先で遠目で鶴瓶さんを何度か見たことはあるが、その時から鶴瓶さんの人間味あふれる人柄を耳にしていた。あるイベントの収録で使った旅館の女将さんは、ただ場所をお貸ししただけのご縁にも関わらず鶴瓶さんは近くに来たのでと電話かメールをいただきます、という。とくに仕事関係者でない人たちへの配慮は欠かさないようだ。

I had seen Mr. Tsurube from a distance several times before when l was involved in my work, but from that time on, l had heard of Mr. Tsurube's personality. The proprietress of the inn used to record an event said that he would call or email her because he was nearby, even though he just rented the place. In particular, it seems that consideration is given to people who are not related to work.

そんな鶴瓶さんを被写体に撮り続けている写真家大西二士男さんの「笑福亭鶴瓶17年間の観察記 "ウラとオモテと本当の顔" 」という写真展を先日見に行ってきた。落語家笑福亭鶴瓶の十色の表情が見える写真を堪能させていただいた。
大西さんは「被写体は一人だけど撮るたびに、それぞれのストーリーがレンズを通し見えてきます」という。
「ほんとウラもオモテもない人です」
「とにかく人が好きな人です」
「縁を大事にする人です」
「常に本気な人ですね」

The other day, I went to see a photo exhibition by photographer Fujio Onishi, who continues to take pictures of Mr. Tsurube, entitled "Shofukutei Tsurube's 17 Years of Observation:" Back, Front, and Real Face. " I enjoyed the pictures of the rakugoka Shofukutei Tsurube with the various of expression.
Mr. Onishi says, "I have only one subject, but each time I take a picture, each story can be seen through the lens."
"A person who doesn't really have a back or front."
"Love people."
"A person who cherishes the edge"
"He always a serious person."

身近にいる人が言う言葉と、テレビを通して見る鶴瓶さんが変わらない。これが笑福亭鶴瓶の姿なのだろう。

The words that people around him say are the same as Mr. Tsurube, who watches through TV. This is probably the appearance of Shofukutei Tsurube.

　　　大西さん(右)と筆者

リポート&写真/ 渡邉雄二　場所/ 大阪MBSロビー　Reported & Photos by Yuji Watanabe