Japanese Dance

I am currently studying Japanese dance, and I am in my third year.

The Reason I Started Japanese Dance

I started learning it to refine my movements when wearing a kimono and to get accustomed to wearing one more quickly. Since the construction of a kimono is entirely different from Western clothing, I feel that when you first wear it, you tend to look like a “new employee in an ill-fitting suit.”

Movement in Kimono

Additionally, in terms of movement, there are differences; for example, when walking in a kimono, your steps should be smaller, and it’s better not to swing your arms too much to maintain a graceful appearance.

I thought that the fastest way to become familiar with the movements required when wearing a kimono would be to learn Japanese dance, which is a traditional art form performed while wearing one.

Where I Learn

By the way, I attend classes at a cultural center rather than apprenticing under a teacher. Since I go twice a month, it isn’t too burdensome, but the time between classes can make it challenging to remember everything, so I have to stay focused to keep progressing.

The main reason I chose a cultural center is financial. When you look online, it quickly becomes apparent that studying Japanese dance seriously can be quite expensive.

Costs Related to Learning Japanese Dance

Participating in performances can cost tens of thousands of yen at a minimum, and it’s not uncommon for it to exceed a million yen for more formal stages.

Furthermore, in Japan, there is a custom of giving gifts during summer and at the end of the year to those who have supported you, so if you were to become an apprentice, you would be expected to present gifts to your teacher and also pay a New Year’s visit with gifts in January.

Why It Costs Money For A recytal

To be honest, I cannot manage that level of commitment right now. However, I have attended a Japanese dance performance invited by a friend, and I was struck by the magnificent stage and costumes. Watching the dancers perform in full makeup made me think, “How wonderful!” If I had the means, I would love to pursue it more seriously.

Practice Clothes

At my class, training with a yukata is allowed, but I try to wear a kimono whenever possible, except during summer.

Wearing a kimono takes longer for hair styling and dressing compared to Western clothes, so sometimes it requires a bit of motivation. By deciding to participate in class in a kimono, I create opportunities to wear it, albeit somewhat forcibly. Incidentally, I have increasingly been wearing machine-washable kimonos to class.

In fact, I usually wear one because I often sit in seiza (traditional Japanese sitting) or kneel during practice, and it’s more comfortable to wear something washable. When the temperature rises a bit, I tend to sweat, so I naturally choose a machine-washable kimono.

How To Practice

Studying Japanese dance is quite challenging in practice. During lessons, recording practice scenes is not allowed, so I must concentrate and learn on the spot. After class, it’s essential to take notes before I forget.

The Basic Stance in Nihon Buyo (Japanese Dance)

The basic posture is to “drop the hips,” which is a position I’m not used to, making it difficult. Professional dancers have their hips well-engaged, which looks beautiful.

Additionally, I need to pay attention to my hand movements, body orientation, and the direction of my feet all at once, which can be quite demanding.

Since each movement is slow, my impatient nature sometimes leads to confusion. Nevertheless, it’s truly rewarding when I manage to memorize the choreography and dance in sync with the music after repeated practice.

I hope to continue this for a long time, even if it’s in small steps, and eventually make it a part of my artistic expression.

Do People Who Practice Japanese Dance Have Strong Bodies?

By the way, to achieve the essential “dropped hips” posture in Japanese dance, I’ve been instructed to focus my strength in my lower abdomen (though I still struggle with it).

I personally believe that training in this posture can help maintain a healthy body even as I age.

The head instructor is nearly 80 years old and remains active, and the kimono instructor I previously studied with was also an active dresser in her 80s, having studied Japanese dance in her childhood. Though the examples are few, I secretly think that Japanese dance might be a “secret to long life and vitality.”

If you’re interested, please check ”Japanese Dance” on YouTube!