Rakugo performer and TV personality Katsura Yonesuke, also known as "Yonesuke," appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) on March 25th. He is 77 years old. He showed viewers the dinners and home of his newly remarried wife, Yoko, who is 20 years younger than him, and read aloud from their "love diary."
Yonesuke has visited 6,000 restaurants for the show "Totsugeki! Tonari no Bangohan" (Nippon Television Network), and he recently learned that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, when she was a rookie politician, was among them. "She recently told me that she ate grilled mackerel at that time. I didn't remember appearing on the show until recently, but I was so happy that the Prime Minister remembered my name," he said with a smile.
Two years ago, at the age of 76, he remarried Yoko. The cameras of "Tetsuko's Room" "surprise" the newlyweds' home and showed footage of their dinner and other dishes. Yonesuke responded with surprise, saying, "I never thought they'd surprise me at my place." On the kotatsu table were his favorite hamburgers, sushi made with sandfish from Akita delivered by his mother-in-law who lives nearby, and red bean rice that he makes once a month.
Yonesuke also showed off his dressing room and study room, where he creates and memorizes his material. Kimonos were stored in a chest of drawers. There were also spikes that Ichiro wore during his time with the Seattle Mariners. "I have six pairs. I'm very grateful," he revealed.
He has been keeping a shared diary with his wife, Yoko, since the beginning of their relationship. In his diary entry dated July 3, 2024, Yonesuke wrote, "I love you, Yoko. Tomorrow we'll register our marriage. Stay by my side for the rest of my life. I'm an old man, but please take care of me. I'll always and forever love you, Yoko," filled with heart symbols, and he read the entry aloud.
Three days later, his wife Yoko wrote, "Gorou (Yonesuke's real name), Yoko has been married for two days. We registered our marriage on Thursday, July 4th, congratulations!! If you have any worries, please tell me. I would be happy if we could talk it through together, resolve it, and live together happily. Thank you for your support." Yoko, who had accompanied him, read the message aloud in the studio.
