Hanano-Kai dance recital, Dec. 17
Topic: Buyo

 

A scene from Ryusei performed in Matera, Italy in Sept. 2005. (Courtesy of Mme. Hisami Wakayagi)

 

     The Hanano-Kai, Japanese dance group led by Mme. Hisami Wakayagi, celebrates the end of the year with a celebratory performance of traditional Japanese dance featuring its teachers and students on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Doizaki Gallery, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Little Tokyo. Admission free. 

 

     Programs of the part one are: Sakura Kamuro, Tenaraiko, Gekizaru, Shiokumi, Tomoyakko, Mitsumen Komori, Kuramajishi, Haruno Shirabe, Suehirogari, and Kishino Yanagi.

 

   Prorams of the part two are: Sakura Sakura, Shinkanoko, Karigane, Kanjo, Ayameyukata, Ryusei, Toutojishi, Yuuzuki, Oharame, and Sukeroku.

 

   Japanese classical dance master Mme. Wakayagi of South Pasadena has been teaching in Southern California for near 30 years. As highlight of her recent achievements, Mme. Wakayagi held two days performance on March 2005 at 850-seat Aratani/Japan America Theatre as 25th anniversary.

 

    Mme. Wakayagi’s achievements are not limited in the U.S. or Japan.

Her dance group has become a regular member of a cultural delegation sent by Association of Daily Japanese Life and Culture in Tokyo. Her group was sent to Romania in 2004, Matera, Italy in September 2005, and Sydney, Australia in September 2006.  

 

Ebata Memorial Fund Award to be presented, July 9, 2 p.m.
Topic: Buyo
Bando Hidesomi Named 2006 Duane Ebata Memorial Fund Award Recipient

Classical Japanese dancer, Bando Hidesomi, (Mihoko Kawakami) was recently named the 5th recipient of the Duane Ebata Memorial Fund Award, given in recognition of excellence and accomplishments of Asian Pacific Island performing artists.

The award will be presented to her at a special reception on Sunday, July 9, 2pm in Doizaki Gallery (Main Floor) of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.

Born in Torrance, California, Bando Hidesomi began her dance training under Madame Bando Mitsuhiro at the age of 3 years old. At the age of twelve, she advanced her art by going to Japan to study under Madame Bando Hideko, daughter of Grand Master Bando Mitsugoro IX. While attending Keio University, Hidesomi trained in Japan intensively for five years where she received the title of Shihan (Master’s degree). She also participated in the Bando School’s Charity Recital in Tokyo and Bando-Kai’s 75th Anniversary Recital at the National Theater of Japan.

Returning to the U.S. in 1996, Hidesomi directed her energies to building a career as a professional dancer and establishing Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Kai. It is her desire to encourage the continuation of Japanese traditional cultural arts by focusing efforts to teach classical Japanese dance to young people and promoting audience appreciation of the traditional cultural arts of Japan through their performances.

She currently teaches 20 students, ranging in age from 4 years to 17 years of age. The group has performed at the Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival, the Autumn Festival in East San Gabriel, Summer Festival at Rancho Los Alamitos, the Iris Festival at the Arboretum, and other local festivals and events.

“Through Nihon Buyo, I want to express my feelings of appreciation and respect for all cultures. Perhaps my own passion for Japanese dance will help to create a bridge of unity between all cultures.” Bando Hidesomi expressed.

This year’s recipient of the Duane Ebata Memorial Fund, Bando Hidesomi joins a growing list of talented Asian Pacific Islander artist awardees, including Visiting Violette (2005), Zero 3 (2004), Keoki Kahumoku (2003) and inaugural recipients the On Ensemble (2002). Friends and colleagues of Duane Ebata, who passed away in 2000, established a Memorial Fund to carry on his artistic vision and legacy.

Artistic Director of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Duane was committed to nurturing promising Asian Pacific American performing artists, building coalitions between communities through the arts, and advocating for funding and support for the arts.

The Duane Ebata Memorial Fund reception on July 9 is open to the public. For more information, contact: Gail Matsui, (213) 628-2725, ext 108. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street, in the Little Tokyo area in downtown Los Angeles. Convenient parking is located on San Pedro Street across from the Center.

Kabuki Dance of Bando School Charity Show in Los Angeles, Jun. 11 Photo
Topic: Buyo







(Photo) Shin Hitotsuya. Photo by Tomoyuki Yoshino
















(Photo) Tsuri Onna. Photo by Tomoyuki Yoshino

















(Photo) Kisen. Photo by Tomoyuki Yoshino





In a rare Los Angeles appearance, Bando Mitsugoro X, a renown Kabuki actor and Headmaster of the Bando School in Japan, will be performing in two shows at the Aratani Japan America Theatre on Sunday, June 11 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

His appearance is part of a charity show to benefit the Japanese American community, a vision of his grandfather, the late Bando Mitsugoro VIII who was recognized by Japan as a Living National Treasure, and his father, the late Bando Mitsugoro IX.

Other celebrated guest artists will include his sister, Bando Hideko, leading dancers Master Bando Mitsujiro and Madame Bando Katsutomo, and about 25 other performers and staff/stage assistants who will accompany Headmaster Mitsugoro X from Tokyo to present two programs of Japanese classical dance that will delight American audiences with colorful costumes and graceful artistry.

Three Los Angeles area Bando dance instructors, Madames Bando Mitsusa, Bando Mitsuhiro, and Bando Wakatsuye, and their prot?g?s (natori and shihan students) will also perform in the programs.

The afternoon program at 1 p.m. will feature the dances Shoochikubai, Shin Hitotsutoya, Niwakajishi, Yuugaodana, and Ryuusei. Headmaster Mitsugoro X will perform in Ryuusei which is a dance based on a Chinese fable in which a shooting star comically tells of a domestic quarrel between Father and Mother Thunder, and of the subsequent intervention of Child Thunder and Grandmother.

The evening show at 5 p.m. will present Shoochikubai, Sakuraemaki, Tsuri Onna, Omatsuri, and Kisen. The Headmaster will perform in the role of Kisen, a priest who is traveling through Gion place in Kyoto during the Edo period and who is attracted to the hostess of a tea house.

Bando Hideko will perform in the supporting role of Okaji, and ten natori (dancers with professional stage names) of the three local Bando dance schools will assume the role of the monks. Bando Mitsugoro X performed this number for his shumei or name-taking recital in Tokyo when he was conferred his current title in 2001.

With both the afternoon and evening programs featuring Headmaster Mitsugoro X and dancers from Japan, audiences are encouraged to attend both shows to take advantage of an unprecedented visit to Los Angeles by this entourage of renown Japanese classical dance artists.

Tickets for the Los Angeles Bando Ryu Charity Show are $50 and $40 per show and are available at the Theatre Box Office, 244 S. San Pedro St., Downtown Los Angeles, (213) 680-3700. Proceeds will benefit Keiro Senior HealthCare.

(In this article, Japanese names appear in order of the family name and given name.)

Mme. Wakana Hanayagi?s Classical Dance Workshop Graduation Program, June 10
Topic: Buyo
Mme. Wakana Hanayagi presents 2006 Los Angeles Regional Grant – Artist-in-Residence Japanese Classical Dance Workshop Graduation Program on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Maryknoll Catholic Center, 222 South Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Special guests are Masakazu Yoshizawa and Narumi Nakamura. Open to public. Admission free. For more information, call Mme. Hanayagi at (310) 822-9193.

Bando Hidesomi's studio to showcase their dances with renowned masters from Tokyo, Mar. 4
Topic: Buyo
Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Class and Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles will present The Four Seasons of Japan: Through the Art of Nihon Buyo on Saturday, March 4, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets are $25 for general, ($23 in balcony), $22 for students, senior citizens and members of JACCC ($20 in balcony). Tickets are available at the box office, (213) 680-3700; Bando Hidesomi, (323) 269-3119; Hirata Camera and Sound, (310) 329-4911. (The related story appears on the page 1)

The program of The Four Seasons of Japan: Through the Art of Nihon Buyo is following:

Tsurukame Crane and Turtle (Nagauta)
Performed by Bando Hideko, Bando Mitsuhiro and Bando Hidesomi
Tsurukame is a very popular Nagauta dance performed for congratulatory occasions. It is choreographed and composed directly to the lyrics chanted in the Noh song of Tsurukame. The emperor received greetings by his people in the beginning of the new year. It was a custom for a crane (Tsuru) and a turtle (Kame) to dance for the emperor in his beautiful royal garden, praying for his longevity.
It is believed that a crane can live 1,000 years, and a turtle can live 10,000 years. The emperor overcome with emotions, starts to dance,
praying for his country to be peaceful and prosperous. The Noh origin fills the dance with solemnity and elegance.

Ehigasa Parasol with pictures (Kayou shoukyoku)
A little girl is enjoying her playtime under the blue skies with her colorful parasol, sharing the sunny day with the butterflies.

Sakura Emaki Cherry blossom picture scroll (Nagauta)
Originally a song with lyrics filled with various kind of cherry blossoms, this particular dance piece portrays a group of young girls at a cherry blossom viewing, celebrating the spring season.

Ayame Uri Iris Vendor (Tokiwazu)

Danjuro Musume Danjuro maiden (Yamatogaku)
This light spirited piece portrays a young daughter of a wealthy merchant, who is a fan of Danjuro, a very popular kabuki actor. She has just come out of the theater after seeing Danjuro perform one of his most
known role, Sukeroku.
As she is imitating Sukeroku, a young servant sent by her father arrives. The daughter refusing to go home, the servant comes up
with a plan. The servant calls to her as if she was Sukeroku. The daughter, without hesitation starts pretending to be Sukeroku. While she is doing so, the servant prompts her into going home.

Fuji Musume Wisteria maiden (Nagauta)
Fuji Musume was originally one of five quick-changes in the dance Kaesu Gaesu Onagori Otsu-e first performed in 1826 at the Nakamura-za, Edo (present day Tokyo). Otsu-e were hand painted folk prints made as
souvenirs in Otsu, Oomi province (currently Shiga prefecture near Kyoto).
Fuji Musume belongs with a small group of other dances, all depicting characters from pictures which come to life. In this dance, a young maiden, personifying the wisteria expresses her feeling toward the noble pine
tree. The sweet and lovely dance pose of a young girl wearing a headpiece with red threads and holding a wisteria branch over her shoulder is a familiar image known to many. Fuji Musume is also one of the most
popular dance performed in dance recitals.

Kikuzukushi Chrysanathemum dance (Nagauta)
This song was created by the first generation Hanayagi Jusuke from a verse written on a folding screen, expressing the beauty and splendor of the colorful chrysanthemum blossoms. In many of the dance schools,
this piece is used to teach the basics of traditional Japanese dance.

Yashiki Musume Mansion maiden (Tokiwazu)
In order to prepare for marriage, daughters of wealthy merchants were usually sent to a lord's mansion to learn proper etiquette and social grace. The training is hard and strict. The young maiden is given some
free time when she is allowed to return to her home for a brief vacation. This dance portrays the joy she feels on her way home during a clear autumn day.

Seigaiha (Kiyomoto)
Performed by Bando Mitsujiro
This ceremonious dance sings of the various famous places during the four seasons of Japan. Seigaiha, which exhibits Kiyomoto style's distinct
characteristics is known to be one of the masterpieces of its kind.

Kurokami Black hair (Nagauta)
Performed by Bando Hidesomi
Accompanied by Kineya Minnosuke for singing and Kineya Yakouji for shamisen.
The Nagauta version of Kurokami is based on a Kabuki act in which Tatsu Hime (Princess Tatsu) sacrificially gives the person she loves away to Masako (Daughter of Hojo Tokimasa) for political reasons.
She suppresses her feeling, but as she is brushing her black hair in front of the mirror, she is troubled by the feeling of envy slowly arising in her heart. Though this Kurokami is a Nagauta version, this particular piece was choreographed by the 8th Headmaster Bando Mitsugoro into Jiutamai style dancing, which delicately expresses the heart of a woman who must hold her feelings back from the person she loves. As the sound of the temple bell penetrates into the night, her feeling of longing piles up like
the white snow gently falling down in the quite night.

(Photo)
Bando Hidesomi

New Year's Dance by Wakana Hanayagi Conservatory, Feb. 11
Topic: Buyo
Free admission

Saturday, Feb. 11, 1:30PM

Maryknoll Catholic Center
222 South Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mme. Wakana Hanayagi: (310) 822-9193