Outline of performances

New year competition for young dancers
A competition for rising, young dancers of all schools of nihon buyo, it is noted for its role in training the next generation of dancers to carry on and develop the classic repertoire of nihon buyo. It has also won acclaim for maintaining what has been considered the highest in level among similar events. Those who pass the preliminary round in September go on to the final selection round held in January, which is open to the public.

The Japanese Dance Association performance

Begun in 1956 at Tokyo’s Kabuki Theatre to mark the association’s first anniversary, it is a realization of one of the main purposes of establishing the association: to create a stage for leading dancers of various schools to perform and compete with each other. The biannual performance is the largest in scale among nihon buyo performances, and takes pride in its high standard.

Members of the association reside across Japan , and branch offices in Tokyo and Kansai areas and in each prefecture have been established to support the growth of the association on the national level. Currently, the number of branch offices have grown to twenty-three.


Sosaku buyo theatre performance

http://sousaku.sakura.ne.jp (Japanese only)

One of the core aims of the Japanese Dance Association is the conservation and transmission of the nihon buyo classic repertoire. At the same time, creating new works with a foundation in classic techniques also form an important pillar of the association’s activities. The Sosaku Buyo Theatre, formed in 1984 by a group committed to such creative work, holds annual performances. Its membership has grown to two hundred, and new productions are underway.


Performing arts program for schools

Sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the purpose of the program is to create opportunities for children and students to watch and to take part in performing arts and to encourage their interest. Organizations active in the performing arts take part in instructing, holding workshops, and performing with students to bring students in touch with ‘genuine’ performing arts, with the aim of promoting interest in the arts and cultivating the students’ aesthetic senses.
Performances are held in school gymnasiums, transforming the gymnasium into a performance stage.


Performing arts program for public theatres and halls
Sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Association of Public Theatres and Halls in Japan, its purpose is identical to the program for schools. Unlike watching a finished product on stage, it aims to delve a layer deeper so that participants might enjoy the stage in its entirety. Performances are held in public facilities designed for cultural activities. They offer an opportunity to physically explore an interest and fascination in nihon buyo as a performing art.

Bi-annual festival at Meiji Shrine
In association with the Nagauta Association, we participate in the festival held in Spring and in Autumn at Meiji Shrine. A stage is set outdoors, before the Shinto altar, and dances are performed as a religious offering.

Performances held by branch offices of the association
The Japanese Dance Association has twenty-three branch offices across Japan. Each is active in their locality in developing and promoting nihon buyo.

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