Manzai is a comical performing art handed down since the Heian period (794-1192). It is said that Mikawa Manzai originates in a funny dance performed by the priest Genkai about 500 years ago. During the Warring States period (1493-1573), when common people were suffering from exhausted conditions of the country, Genkai performed a funny dance to encourage people.

Later, when Genkai moved to Hasebe Village in Mikawa province (present-day Aichi Prefecture), the local lord, Matsudaira Chikatada asked the priest to perform the prayers to prevent soldiers from being shot by an arrow and Manzai Shugen (cerebration dances). Receiving the protection from the lord, Chikatada, Genkai was given premise in the village, which was named Basso Village. Genkai taught many people how to perform Manzai and produced many good Manzai performers.

Protected by the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Manzai performance of Mikawa spread all over the Kanto region, bringing the words of cerebration and laughter to people. Mikawa Manzai of Anjo was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1995 by the national government.