Choreography Work

Unique Circumstances of Nihon Buyo

Although Nihon Buyo is a form of dance, it cannot be fully covered by basics like barre lessons in Western dance.
This is because it is close to what is known as dance drama, which began with Kabuki, and the way of moving differs depending on the role.
While there are, of course, basics such as gestures and movements in a kimono, it is easy to imagine that the way of moving differs for a young girl, a samurai, an old man, or even among women, between a mature woman and an oiran.
Also, one must understand the unique "language" expressed by instruments such as the shamisen.
Things like waving a sarashi (bleached cloth), playing with a hand ball, or the lion dance.
I truly think the Japanese sensibility of expressing the appearance of deep, falling snow through a drum is wonderful.
There are many other things, and one cannot choreograph without knowing them.

From Classical to Creative

Many people in the genre currently called "Shin-Buyo" (New Dance) choreograph not only to shamisen music but also to popular songs.
The basics are no different from classical (Kabuki dance), but Shin-Buyo, which allows for casual dancing to short songs, is popular.
Many songs for Kayou-Buyo (popular song dance) were also created for dancing, and they have high narrative quality, making them suitable for Nihon Buyo.
Perhaps I might fall into that genre as well.
However, while I do choreograph for those who want to dance to enka or similar music, I actually do not prefer to dance to them much myself.
Rock, chanson, tango, classical, folk songs, J-pop, anime songs, kids' songs... regardless of the genre, the challenge and reward lie in how to express a song I like within the constraints of wearing a kimono.
Even Japanese instrument players are creating various songs aiming for a new, modern style of Japanese music, so I often choreograph and dance to their music as well.

Choreography That Changes Depending on the Order or the Dancer

I choreograph songs I want to dance to freely as I wish, but when I am asked to choreograph (which, of course, is my job), I must align with the other person's wishes.
For example, for something like a Bon dance that general people can enjoy on the spot, I think it is best to have choreography that can be imitated immediately upon seeing it, captures the individuality of the song, and looks impressive.
For the high school students I currently teach, the choreography for class is designed so that everyone can experience the atmosphere of Nihon Buyo and learn the basics.
For club activities, I have the students suggest songs they want to dance to, but while incorporating unique choreography that brings out the atmosphere of that song, I also want them to know the basic movements, and I want to make it slightly more difficult than what they can currently do so they can step up.
This balance and how to bring out individuality are where a choreographer's skill is shown.

A Choreographer Is Also a Director

And when I hand over the choreography, I also make fine adjustments to suit the person dancing.
Sometimes I change it if they absolutely cannot do it, but there are also times when the same choreography does not feel right for the dancer's sensibility.
Finding the movement that makes the dancer shine the brightest.
Such arrangements are also where a choreographer's skill is shown.

I am a dancer myself, but that does not mean everything goes well if I dance it all.
For dances aimed at young people, it is better for young people to dance them, even if they are less skilled than me.
In that sense, there is also a joy in having them dance songs I cannot, or to put it grandly, having them realize my dreams.
One of my favorite songs is "Warabigami" (by Rimi Natsukawa), which is a mother's song to her child, saying, "Grow up well, I will always be watching over you."
It is better for someone who has become a parent to dance to a song like this.
Including things like that, it is not quite the right person for the right job, but I hope to be a choreographer who can provide that kind of direction.

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