Performances to be presented

Matsu-no-midori (The Green Pine)
An auspicious dance to wish for success in life, using the image of a fresh green pine tree to depict a young girl who grows in dignity and accomplishment.

Suisen-tanzen
A dance which focuses on the beauty and graceful lines of movement in a female dance. A woman imitates, with style, dandy young men of the late 17th~ early 18th century period, whose fashion has been adopted into several classic dance pieces. The dance also includes movements using a decorative spear, showing ways in which props are used in Nihon Buyo to enhance the beauty of the movements.

Tomo-yakko (The Servant)
Choreographed 180 years ago, the dance depicts a servant who has lost his master while accompanying him to the pleasure quarters, lighting the way with a lantern. The dance interweaves the servant’s comical imitation of his master and the colorful atmosphere of the pleasure quarters, highlighted by an energetic sequence of footsteps to display the dancer’s skill.

MINOSUKE NISHIKAWA

• • 1960 born as eldest son of Senzo Nishikawa X (10th) of the Nishikawa School in Roppongi
  • 1976 entered Waseda University Senior High School
  • 1979 entered School of Letters, Arts and Sciences I, Waseda University (Theater Dept.)
  • 1984 graduated Waseda University and begins full time career in dance as future head of the Nishikawa School
  • 1987 enrolled at University of London, majoring in Western history and literature; as well as at Raban Center, majoring in modern dance, ballet, dance theory
  • 1989 returned to Japan
  • 1990 director of Nihon Buyo Foundation
  • 1993 lecturer at Nihon University College of Art, bestowed the name of Minosuke Nishikawa V (Kabukiza)
  • 1999 chairman of Josai Charter, Shinjuku Committee, Tokyo branch, Japanese Dance Association Inc.
  • 2004 awarded Matsuo Performing Arts New Artist of the Year
  • 2006 awarded the 20th Juou Hanayagi New Artist Award (2005) (awarded by the Japanese Dance Association Inc.

SEIRA HANAYAGI

• • • Began studying traditional Japanese dance under Masao Hanayagi (current Shotaro II) and Shoyo Hanayagi since 3 years old.
    • Has been continually creating and presenting original works since she started to gain experience in the creative process at the dance laboratory, “Rappuza”.
    • In 1993, performed at the “New Spring Dance Festival” organized by the Japanese Dance Association Inc. and received the Grand Prize-Minister of Culture Award. Since then, she began to present “Seira Hanayagi Recital”.
    • In 1994, accepted to join the Cultural Affairs’ Japanese Fine Art Internship Program at the Japanese agency.
    • Currently, she is an active choreographer, performer and student exploring the possibilities of Japanese traditional dance in both the traditional and contemporary angle.

CHUICHIROU MATSUNAGA

• • • Shamisen performer of the Matsunaga School of Nagauta, born in Tokyo 1969.
    • At 3 years old, became a pupil of the Head of School, Tetsugoro Matsunaga IX, and made his stage debut in 1975 in TOMOYAKKO.
    • Studied under the Head of School, Chugoro Matsunaga VIII, and was given the name of Chuichirou in 1994.
    • Member of Nagauta Matsunaga School and Nagauta Association.

SINJUROU KATADA

• • • Born in 1967 as a second son of living national treasure,　Kisaku Katada.
    • In 1990, began performing under his father, Kisaku, after graduating from Meiji University.
    • In 1998, bestowed the name of Sinjurou Katada IV.
    • Currently performs as a musical accompanist for traditional dance and kabuki performances, on television such as “Geino Hana Butai” on Japan National Broadcasting channel, radio, CD, as well as overseas.
    • Member of Nagauta Association; lecturer at Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music; lecturer at Yokohama Asahi Culture Center.