Japanese Dance and Movement with Hamilton Seniors
On May 8th, we were pleased to provide a traditional Japanese dance and movement workshop for the seniors at the Hamilton Community Centre in Richmond. After viewing a short performance by master dancer HANAYAGI Toshikotono (Mamie Kakimoto), the audience participated in a movement lesson, learning about the fundamental mechanics of the traditional Japanese stage.
Thanks to TomoeKai senior student Ryan Caron for helping out with the program. We really appreciated the warm feedback and hope we can offer more programs like this in the future.
Please contact us through the link at the bottom of the page if your senior program or school group would like us to bring a workshop (dance, tea, incense, ikebana, etc.) to you.
Photo by Ryan CaronAbout the Educator:
HANAYAGI Toshikotono (Mamie Kakimoto) HANAYAGI Toshikotono sensei began dancing at age two in Tokyo, Japan, under HANAYAGI Shizutoshi. She earned her professional name at age 16 and her teaching license when she was 26. She has performed at the National Theatre of Japan multiple times, as well as dancing overseas in Paris. She currently performs and teaches private lessons and small group classes in Vancouver, where her students perform at various community festivals under the name Tomoe Kai.
You can view a video of Hanayagi Toshikotono dancing Kyōkanoko Musume Dōjōji here.
About Hanayagi Ryu 日本舞踊 花柳流
The Hanayagi School of Japanese classical dance (Hanayagi-ryū) is one of the five major schools of classical Japanese dance, founded by Hanayagi Jusuke I in 1849. Successive generations of headmasters, including the current head Hanayagi Jusuke V, have performed and choreographed for the Kabuki stage as well as dance and new theatre venues.
We gratefully acknowledge support from the Community Fund of the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.