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Nihon Buyoh

Nihon buyoh (Japanese classical dance) or odori , is the dance of the kabuki theatre of Japan and of the geisha. It originated in the 16th century and developed into a detailed form of dance that uses many types of music, and incorporates storytelling, character, pantomimic gesture and virtuoso movement patterns.

I have studied nihon buyoh for over a dozen years, first under master dancer and teacher Fujima Yûko (1938-2002), then with Fujima Shôgô. I dance both onnagata (female form) and otokogata (male form) and have performed dances connected a variety of different kinds of music. I became a natori of the Fujima School in 2003, taking the professional name Fujima Sayû.

I have been using a great deal of nihon buyoh forms in my current choreography and performance. Michiyuki/A Travel Song used dance patterns and gestures from nihon buyoh, and The Komachi Variations was almost entirely based on buyoh kata or forms. Most recently, I created a full length piece called Ten Nights of Dream based on Sôseki Natsume's haunting series of tales, and choreographed an outdoor public art piece using Japanese dance styles. I also chroeographed dances for the English-language premiere of MISHIMA Yukio's kabuki play The Sardine Seller's Net of Love.



My most recent work as a choreographer and performer is to look at how nihon buyoh can be blended with or used in contemporary dance. I am currently working on a new piece based on Natsume Sôseki's Ten Nights of Dream that tries to push the boundaries of nihon buyoh's gestures and patterns.

I am Artistic Director of TomoeArts a company dedicated to the production and creation of work incorporating nihon buyoh forms and aesthetics.