Saturday, March 4, 2017

Tomoe Arts Dance Company: Yuko-Kai - Learning From Fujima Shogo

Tomoe Arts always puts on exquisite demonstrations of Japanese Dance, Art and Culture. Settings are simple, music (Nagauta) in the background, soft but dramatic, dress so understated but layered and beautiful. Fans, folded messages. Every move is a step in the story of each dance, strong, compelling and a perfect plan for use of space and time.

Fujima Yuko (1929-2003) was an extraordinary dancer and teacher who dedicated her life to Japanese Dance and to sharing her commitment to it, with her many students, in Japan and around the world. She was Colleen Lanki's (Fujima Sayu) teacher and mentor and Colleen continues her work, here as Creative Director of Tomoe Arts. Today's performance is to honor Fujima Yuko. Fujima Shoga was chosen by Fujima Yuko to be Colleen's next teacher and he has worked with both Colleen and Ryan for both the memorial and dances. Even Master Dancers continue to learn, hence the title: Leanring from Fujima Shogo.

On Sunday, February 26th, Colleen Lanki (Theatre Director, Choreographer, Educator and Dancer) and Ryan Caron (Theatre Director and Dancer) shared four classical Japanese Dances with us:

The first dance, Matsu no Midori (Green of the Pine), featured Ryan Caron who shares his vision of a beautiful young girl and also of the accomplished woman she into which she will grow.

The second dance, Kyo no Shiki (Four Seasons of the Capital), was about a dance celebrating the 4 seasons of Kyoto. Having visited Kyoto, I could easily envision the seasons, especially the Spring and Cherry Blossom time.

The third dance, Tamagawa (The Tama River), danced by Colleen Lanki: Fujima Sayu. Depicted the life of the people along the Tama River and the movement of the river through the Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo.

The fourth and final dance, Yariyakko (The Samurai's Attendant with a Lance), was danced by Ryan Caron as the Samurai with his lance and powerful, shouted commands! Several very young dancers from the studio above this one, practised being Samurais as they watched Ryan dance.

Held in a small studio, this event was an opportunity to be very close to Master Dancers and to be in Japan! Stories told through dance. No words needed!

Visit Tomoe Arts for more information on their upcoming season!








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