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Ali- Nihon Buyo Performance

Nihon Buyo (Ali)


This last Sunday I had the opportunity to see a Nihon Buyo performance near my host families house. A hippo member had given me a ticket after hearing that I wanted to study the dance. I had a really wonderful time and am very thankful for the opportunity. 

It is difficult to describe Nihon Buyo when there is no western style dance that I can easily compare it with. Movements are minimal, precise, and few, graceful yet brisk. Sometimes these motions are emphasized by props, such as fans, umbrellas, flowers, and sashes. If I had to compare it, it would be to a mime, body builder, and sales person.  As a mime tells a story through movements, a body builder shows of his strength and skill through poses, and a sales person positions their body to highlight and display a product, in Nihon Buyo each movement is deliberate to show off skill, emphasize a prop, and to tell the story. Each dance tells a different story and every movement in the dance is an expression. I believe the music that accompanies it enhances the narrative. However, I can't be quite sure because I couldn't make out the lyrics of the song.  At today's performance I saw the stories of a young woman outside enjoying the spring, two lovers in the snow, a vendor selling his wares, a man carrying a relic, a hostess, and a prince and princess (played by the same dancer). The costumes were gorgeous! They were so colorful and had beautiful designs. I want to try wearing a beautiful kimono too!  

At first when watching this performance, I thought that the dance and movements seemed simple and could easily be recreated by an untrained individual. However, as the skill of the dancers progressed, I saw the strength and talent of each dancer and began to see how each seeming simple movement took great skill to accomplish. Not only were they able to dance beautifully, but all while wearing elaborate kimonos and wigs that probably inhibited their movements. I don't think I would be able to do even the simplest of movements. 

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