SACHIYO ITO & COMPANY

“Miss Ito appeared to mix styles, combining Japanese formality with the fluidity of western modern dance. Movements were delicate and it seemed as if Miss Ito were about to dissolve into mist with each step.”
The New York Times 		“Sachiyo Ito, an expressive and powerful performer, is, at the same time, touchingly delicate.”
The Village Voice 		“Ito has achieved mastery of [traditional] forms, absorbing the necessary discipline and techniques. Ito was a model of control and refinement.”
Dance Magazine



DANCE SCHOOL FOR JAPANESE CLASSICAL DANCE
AND OKINAWAN DANCE nihongo: dance school

Sachiyo Ito & Company offers private lessons and classes of Kabuki Dance and Okinawan Court Dance. Beginners learn first, how to get dressed in Kimono, the basic movements, how to use dance fans for expressive movements, then a short dancer piece.

Advanced students are also welcome.

We also have new lessons for children.




AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

One week Residency: Japanese Culture Through Dance
Dr. Ito's program brings the beautiful art and culture of Japan into the classroom to enhance the school curricula and serve as a resource for the community.

One-day Workshop: The workshop provides the students an over-all picture of Japanese dance and performing arts such as Noh, Kabuki, and Okinawan dance, and their related forms.

Concert: Full performance can include lecture-demonstration.

CONCERT REVIEW  The New York Times

Peace Quest, Personal And Global

Sachiyo Ito and Company offered a "Concert Dedicated to World Peace" on Saturday afternoon at the Clark Studio Theater and made the program artistically meaningful as well as idealistically honorable.

This New York-based troupe of dancers and musicians presents works in both Japanese classical and contemporary styles. The matinee harmoniously united them.

Ms. Ito danced two solos. In the whimsical "Moon Child," which she also choreographed, she gazed wistfully upward, as if longing for the moon. And in this production, designed by Robert Mitchell, the moon came down to her in the form of a glittering silver ball, which she played with and cuddled.

"Yamanba (The Old woman of the Mountain)" was a scene from a Kabuki play of 1848. Here Ms. Ito portrayed an elderly woman bidding her son farewell. Her careful steps, turns of the head and side glances invested the slightest actions with dignity.
In "An Invitation to Bell," a production emphasizing processional movements for Ms. Ito and for an ensemble, Jennifer Kato read poems by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and peace activist. Many celebrated a spirit of renewal, and the choreography was appropriately calm. But poems about violence and tyranny inspired jagged gesticulations from Ms. Ito.

Then order was restored and the audience was invited to join the cast in a meditative walk onstage. Most accepted, stepping serenely while guided by the sounds of a gong and a bell. The unhurried progress became a pilgrimage into peace.

Jack Anderson, December 14, 1999
 

NEWS

An article on Sachiyo Ito appeared in the recent issue of Chopsticks NY (vol. 030, October 2009, page 49): “NIHON BUYO - DANCE IS A MIRROR INTO JAPANESE CULTURE   Watching Sachiyo Ito dance is like observing the life cycle of the cherry blossom ...” Download the article text and pictures in a pdf file.

In July, 2008, Sachiyo Ito was named one of the recipients of the commendation (Japanese: hyoushou) of the foreign minister of Japan. This is awarded to individuals and organizations in recognition of distinguished effort in promoting mutual cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding between the Japanese people and other nations. See the documentation of the award at COMMENDATION OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN.

 

SACHIYO ITO & COMPANY UPCOMING EVENTS


2010 Events

Salon Series No. 37 Modernity in Tradition
Traditional and Contemporary Dance in Asia
April 4 (Sunday), 2010, 3pm
Special Guests: Rajika Puri, Steve Gom and Ralph Samuelson
Location: Tenri Cultural Institute, 43 A West 13th Street, NYC (btw. 5th and 6th Avenues)

Now in its 12th year, the Salon Series is a series of informative and educational lectures, lecture-demonstrations and performances on the performing arts of Japan held three times a year on Sunday afternoons at Tenri Cultural Institute.



Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
May 1 (Saturday) 2009, 1pm
May 2 (Sunday) 2009, 1pm
Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11225
at the Cherry Esplanade Main Stage (see the above link for map)


Salon Series No. 38 Joy of Okinawan Music and Dance
May 23, 2010, 3pm
Location: Tenri Cultural Institute, 43 A West 13th Street, NYC (btw. 5th and 6th Avenues)

Lively Okinawan folk music and dance will be performed while there will be an audience participation in Kachashi, the improvisation dance, uniquely Okinawan.


Poetry in Motion (New York Home Season Concert)
Japanese Contemporary Dance with live music, singing and narration
June 10, 11, and 12 (Thursday-Saturday) at 8pm
Location: Joyce SoHo, 155 Mercerr Street, NYC
Admission: $20, Seniors and Students $15
Tickets: 212-242-0800 / www.joyce.org


Walking Meditation and Haiku Retreat with Sachiyo Ito
to be scheduled: fall, 2010


For information on concerts, workshops and classes, contact:
Sachiyo Ito & Company
405 West 23rd Street, Ste 4G
New York, NY 10011
Tel/Fax (212) 627-0265   
www.dancejapan.com
Contact us


BIOGRAPHY

JAPANESE CULTURE THROUGH DANCE

SACHIYO ITO & COMPANY VIDEOS

HAIKU AND WALKING MEDITATION

RECENT PAST EVENTS

OPPORTUNITIES WITH SACHIYO ITO & COMPANY

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