Nihon Buyo
Lecture & Demonstration
The Nihon Buyo Foundation and the Embassy of Japan are proud to present a unique opportunity to attend a nihon buyo lecture and demonstration here in the Netherlands.
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Senzo Nishikawa
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What is Nihon Buyo?
Nihon Buyo is a Japanese performing art featuring the valuable elements of Japanese traditional culture such as beauty, wabi (taste for the simple and quiet), space and shade.
The original form of "nihon buyo" is recorded in Japan's oldest history book "Kojiki" that was completed in 712. It describes how a goddess "Amenouzume-no-mikoto" devoted herself to dancing; she put grass on her dress and hair for decorations, clasped a bundle of bamboo leaves in her hand, and stamped her feet on a large pail. Similar stage props and style of beating rhythm with feet are still used in today's nihon buyo.
It verifies that nihon buyo has its origin in the ancient times. It was, however, only a starting point, and there has been a long process of development in nihon buyo in different rections.
The appearance of Izumo-no-Okuni early in the 17th century was an epoch-making event. She performed on stage what was called "nenbutsu odori” in local Kyoto (a primitive kind of dance in which dancers jumped about to the rhythm of the accompanying bell). Flutes and drums were used for the accompaniment, and the base of nihon buyo as performing arts was established in this era. Afterwards, different schools were founded, and since then, each of them has been training their students to nurture the talents. Major schools of Nishikawa, Fujima, Bando, Hanayagi, and Wakayagi have handed down and developed further their traditions as pioneers. Including new smaller schools added in modern times, they have created and performed various works of "classical buyo" and "suodori buyo (dance without wearing special costumes)." Since early in the 20th century, "sosaku (original work) buyo" gradually came to be performed.
Today approximately 5,000 professional dancers are actively working in nihon buyo circles, and giving their performances at nationwide venues. |
Lecture and Demonstration
One of Japan’s living national treasures, Senzo Nishikawa, will come to the Netherlands joined by Enyu Wakayagi and Oohisui Hanayagi to share his knowledge of this traditional Japanese art form. We invite you to join them on one of the following dates (admission is free):
November 26 at Naturalis in Leiden at 14:30 (FULL).
November 27 at the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam at 12:30(FULL) & 15:00(FULL)
Those interested can register their attendance with the Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands. Please include your name, your date of preference and the number of people you are registering for. Proof of registration will give you free admission to the museum on the day of the performance.
Please register your attendance via event-reply@hg.mofa.go.jp.
Information about the dancers
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Senzo NISHIKAWA
Born into a family steeped in classical dance, Senzo Nishikawa first performed Nihon Buyo at the age of five. At seven, he inherited the title of head of the Nishikawa school. He has worked hard to maintain the beauty of the classical dance repertoires, and has also dedicated himself to developing innovative aspects of Nihon Buyo by choreographing new works.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was given the title Living National Treasure by the government of Japan. Senzo Nishikawa is the Chairman of the Nihon Buyo Foundation and the Executive Director of the Japanese Classical Dance Association. |
Oohisui HANAYAGI
Oohisui Hanayagi majored in Japanese classical dance in the Department of Traditional Japanese Music at the Tokyo University of Arts. She studied under Ms. Toshimi Hanayagi. Since 2007, she has been actively involved in Geimaruza, a group of young Japanese traditional music players.
Between 2007 -2009 Hanayagi received numerous awards in the annual New Year Competition for all schools of Nihon Buyo organized by the Japanese Classical Dance Association. She also participated in a number of overseas performances in Italy, Korea and Mexico. She is considered to be one of the most promising female Japanese classical dancers. |
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Enyu WAKAYAGI
Enyu Wakayagi is a progressively minded Japanese classical dancer. Between 2006 – 2008 Wakayagi won numerous awards in the annual New Year Competition for all schools of Nihon Buyo organized by the Japanese Classical Dance Association.
He has participated in the Koshiro Japanese Classical Dance Association performances and Wakayagi School Classical Dance festivals. |
  
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