| NEWS & EVENTS | ||
 Concert Postcard: Dojoji 2001 Dear Friends, We are excited to share with you Chapter 7 of Sachiyo Ito’s captivating memoir, titled “Dojoji: Dojoji 2001 and 2002.” In this poignant chapter, Ito delves into her reimagining of the classic Japanese legend of Dojoji. She recounts her journey of research, creation, and performance, challenging tradition to bring new life to this centuries-old tale. While exploring the symbolism of the temple bell, the transformative power of desire, and the universal themes of human attachment and destruction, she shares touching anecdotes about her collaborators and her creative process. Chapter 7 offers us a fascinating glimpse into Ito’s lifelong dedication to bridging Eastern and Western artistic sensibilities. We look forward to reading more from Sachiyo Ito about how iconic aspects of Japanese culture have shaped her creative spirit and life’s work. Please stay tuned for updates on future memoir chapter releases. https://www.japanculture-nyc.com/sachiyo-ito-memoir/chapter-7-dojoji-dojoji-2001-and-2002 Thank you, and please have a wonderful rest of the summer! Best wishes, Sachiyo Ito & Company  Dojoji 2002 |
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 Komorebi – sunlight filtering through the leaves Photo: Heather Schroeder Dear Friends, We are pleased to announce the release of Chapter 6 of our Artistic Director’s poignant memoir, titled “Transformation,” in which Sachiyo Sensei reflects on many faces of transformation and change. Set against a backdrop of a societal shift – the beginning of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s – she delves into the theme of transformation, central to her life and work as a Japanese dancer. Her personal stories offer a window into the transformative power of art, pride, and inspiration, serving as a testament to the resilience that comes from facing whatever changes the future may bring. We look forward to reading more from Sachiyo Ito about how iconic aspects of Japanese culture have shaped her creative spirit and life’s work. Please stay tuned for updates on future memoir chapter releases. https://www.japanculture-nyc.com/sachiyo-ito-memoir/chapter-6-transformation Thank you, and please have a wonderful summer! Best wishes, Sachiyo Ito & Company  Performing the role of Wankyu at Salon Series #69. Photo: Heather Schroeder |
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 2024 Japan Parade, New York Dear Friends, Happy Memorial Day! We are pleased to announce the release of Chapter 5 of our Artistic Director’s poignant memoir, titled “After 50 Years: Japan Parade and My 1970s.” In Chapter 4, Sachiyo Sensei reflected on embracing the present. In this chapter, she walks the road of her past, contemplating the vast changes she has experienced over the years, both within herself and in the world around her. The stories of her performances and experiences as an immigrant span from the 1970’s to today, culminating in her participation in New York’s first (and every subsequent) Japan Parade. We look forward to reading more from Sachiyo Ito about how iconic aspects of Japanese culture have shaped her creative spirit and life’s work. Please stay tuned for updates on future memoir chapter releases. Thank you! Wishing everyone a lovely summer, Sachiyo Ito & Company  2024 Japan Parade, New York Photos by Jon Jung and Tony Sahara |
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Hello Everyone, please enjoy the short clip of our performance in Brooklyn Botanic Garden 2024! |
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 “National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC 2024 Photo by Jon Jung . Dear Friends, Happy Spring! We are pleased to announce the release of Chapter 4 of our Artistic Director’s poignant memoir. Titled “Sakura,” this chapter gives us a glimpse into Sachiyo Sensei’s thoughts on the ephemeral cherry blossom and what it represents to her as a Japanese dancer. She also shares stories of memorable performances from various cherry blossom festivals since 1981. As she reflects on unforgettable moments of seeing flowers and meeting people alike, she hopes her performances and teaching have left similarly indelible impressions on others. Like the exquisite but fleeting cherry blossoms she dances under, Sachiyo Sensei’s art reminds us to fully embrace the present. We look forward to reading more from Sachiyo Ito about how iconic aspects of Japanese culture have shaped her creative spirit and life’s work. Please stay tuned for updates on future memoir chapter releases! Read Chapter 4 HERE
Please join us for our Upcoming Performances! Sunday April 14 2:30 – 4pm Bloomfest: Cherry Blossom Festival at Prudential Concert Cove Stage Tha Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ Information: https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park/calendar/bloomfest
Saturday, April 27 2:30pm and 3:30pm Weekends in Bloom Brooklyn Botanic Garden, NY Sunday, April 28 12pm and 1:30pm Weekends in Bloom Brooklyn Botanic Garden, NY Information: https://www.bbg.org/visit/event/weekends_in_bloom_2024-04-27 Information: https://www.bbg.org/visit/event/weekends_in_bloom_2024-04-28
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 “Roses” by Machi Ito .
Dear Friends, We are pleased to announce the release of Chapter 3 of Sachiyo Ito’s Memoir. In this chapter, Sachiyo Sensei recounts formative experiences, crediting her mother, Machi Ito, for making her artistic career possible. We learn of Machi’s impressive accomplishments as an artist and trailblazing career woman in mid-20th century Japan. Sachiyo Sensei touchingly describes her mother’s quiet support through the meaningful gift of a dance fan case. The memoir promises to give us great insight into the source of Sachiyo Sensei’s artistic drive and how she overcame many obstacles to introduce Japanese dance to the international stage. We look forward to reading future chapters and learning more about this pioneering artist’s inspirational story. To access the Memoir, please visit JapanCultureNYC at the following link: Stay tuned for details on the memoir’s fourth chapter release date!
Thank you.  Photo by Jefferson Maia |
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 Sachiyo Ito in “Haru no Umi” (Spring Sea) Photo by Ray Smith . Dear Friends, We are pleased to announce the release of Chapter 2 of Sachiyo Ito’s Memoir. In this chapter, Sachiyo Sensei recalls the chance meetings that led to both influential support for her career and deep and lasting friendships; these supporters, both personal and professional, would help to make her dream of introducing Japanese dance to the world outside of Japan in the 1970s and 80s come true. The memoir promises to give us great insight into the source of Sachiyo Sensei’s artistic drive and how she overcame many obstacles to introduce Japanese dance to the international stage. We look forward to reading future chapters and learning more about this pioneering artist’s inspirational story. To access the Memoir, please visit JapanCultureNYC at the following link: https://www.japanculture-nyc.com/sachiyo-ito-memoir/chapter-2nbspdreaming-the-possible-dream Stay tuned for details on the memoir’s third chapter release date! *** Upcoming Event “Linking Verses and Dance Improvisation” at the Queens Library on March 14 Join us for a special evening of poetry and movement! Sachiyo Ito will present the unique program of linking poetic verses to dance. The program will introduce Japanese traditional poetry from Waka to Haiku, the shortest fixed form of poetry known worldwide. The audience is encouraged to bring their own Haiku verses and have Sachiyo Ito create dances for them. This program will be a live presentation with the option for the audience to join virtually. Those who are joining online can send Haiku through the Chat on Zoom. Queens Library, Flushing Branch Zoom Link: https://queenslib.org/3TufpuV Meeting ID: 894 3015 5829https://www.japanculture-nyc.com/sachiyo-ito-memoir/chapter-3-in-honor-of-womens-history-month-machi-ito Passcode: 0314*
Thank you.  Sachiyo Ito in “Sagi Musume” (Heron Maiden) |
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 “Memories” Photo by Jefferson Maia Dear Friends, We are excited to announce the release of the first chapter of the memoir of our Artistic Director, Sachiyo Ito. This poignant introduction gives us a glimpse into Sachiyo Ito’s early life and what shaped her into the passionate artist she is today. In this chapter, Sachiyo Sensei reflects on finding an old childhood photo of herself, smiling brightly without a care in the world. This memory prompts her to realize she has been single-mindedly pursuing her artistic mission in America for years, often amidst difficult circumstances, and has lost some of that natural joy along the way. Chapters of Ito’s Memoir will be released in 12 monthly installments with a special theme for each chapter; for instance, Women’s History for March, cherry blossoms for April, and Pride for June. The memoir promises to give us great insight into the source of Sachiyo Sensei’s artistic drive and how she has overcome obstacles to introduce Japanese dance to the international stage since the early 1970s. You can find it on the websites of JapanCultureNYC ( https://www.japanculture-nyc.com/sachiyo-ito-memoir/chapter1 ) and our own website ( Memoir Chapter-One ). Please enjoy her journey of over 50 years spreading the arts and culture of Japan, and learn about this pioneering artist’s inspirational story. Stay tuned for details on the memoir’s second chapter release date! Thank you！ Sachiyo Ito & Company |
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 Happy New Year! Sachiyo Ito and Company wish you all good health and happiness in 2024. We thank you for an incredible 2023 filled with magical performances and joyful memories. We are so grateful for our dedicated dancers, helpful crew, and you – our supportive community. Together we have spread the love of Japanese dance far and wide! The year ahead is filled with possibilities, new performances, community classes, and more. We can’t wait to continue this beautiful journey with you by our side. May it be our best year yet filled with new heights and endless pirouettes. Additionally, Artistic Director’s Memoir will be posted on the websites of Thank you. Best wishes, Sachiyo Ito & Company |
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Upcoming Events in August and September  Hello Everyone, I hope you can join us for the following events this summer, and for a special workshop in the fall! Stay cool! Best wishes, Sachiyo Ito *** Dances inspired by “Kengo Kito: Unity on the Hudson” Sunday, August 6 2:00pm Hudson River Museum (Middle Level Galleries) 511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701 This event is free with general museum admission. Sachiyo Ito & Company presents classical dances that express reverence for nature, and feature Sachiyo Ito’s solo contemporary works, which she choreographed: “To the Sea” and “Memories,” inspired by water, nature, and humanity, accompanied by a poetry reading. Sachiyo Ito will introduce the program with a demonstration of classical dance form and gestures. A Q&A session will conclude the program. For more information, please visit the event page on *** Culmination Performance of “Dance and Poetry of Japan” Workshop Thursday, August 10 11:30 – 12:00pm The Parlor at the Greenwich Senior Center 20 Washington Square North, New York The program will present Renku (Linking Verses) along with dances choreographed by the workshop participants. A special guest, Beth Griffith, singer and actress, will join as a vocalist to accompany the dances. The dance “Sakura,” choreographed by Ito, will also be performed by participants and a member of the Company. The presentation will conclude with dance improvisation by Ito and the participants on Haiku stanzas from the audience. Audiences are invited to bring their own Haiku. The program will be followed by a reception with beverages and snacks. The Dance and Poetry of Japan Workshop is, in part, supported by Creative Learning administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council in partnership with the NYCity Department of Cultural Affairs. *** Fall Japanese Dance Workshops (Beginner and Advanced) Beginner Workshop: Tuesdays in September and October starting on 9/5/2023 6:00 – 7:00pm Advanced Workshop: Wednesdays in September and October starting on 9/6/2023 6:00 – 7:00pm Sachiyo Ito and Company Studio 405 West 23rd Street, Suite 4G, New York, 10011 212-627-0265 Beginner Workshop: how to dress in yukata/kimono; the basic movements of Japanese classical dance, as well as how to use a fan for expressive movement; and beginner dances from the classical Kabuki repertoire. Advanced Workshop: dances from the Kabuki dance repertoire with more complex techniques than the Beginner Workshop. Advanced students can be trained to join the company for performing at cherry blossom festivals and other events in the spring of 2024. Cost: $120 for the entire two-month workshop, paid in advance Materials for the workshop: yukata or kimono with obi, and a dance fan. These can be purchased or rented from the Company if participants do not own them. Limited to 5 participants Registration deadline: 9/1/2023 Registration and Inquiry: sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com or visit the Sachiyo Ito and Company Website *** 日本舞踊9月～10月ワークショップ参加者募集 伊藤さちよ舞踊団舞踊教室 日時: 初心者・毎週火曜日6-7時 9月５日より 経験者・毎週水曜日6-7時 ９月６日より 場所: 伊藤さちよ舞踊団スタジオ405 west 23rd Street NYC（212-627-0265） ワークショップ内容 初心者：着物の着付け、舞扇の使い方基本、舞踊基本動作、歌舞伎舞踊作品 経験者：歌舞伎舞踊作品 費用： 2ヶ月分 $120 / １クラス $20 お稽古に必要な物：扇子/着物 （購入及び貸出可能） 人数制限：5人 登録締め切り：9月1日 登録申し込み・問い合わせ・：sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com 舞台経験のある方には2024年春季公演、桜祭り等に参加するチャンスがあります。 「日本舞踊」ダンスジャパンメンバー大募集！ 私達と一緒に公演で踊りませんか？楽しく、優雅に日舞、着物、伝統芸能}  |
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Please enjoy the short clip of our parade at Japan Parade 2023! |
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 Greetings! I hope you had a great spring season. Thank you for your support of our spring season, which has been a tremendous one for us with performances including the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, Bloomfest in Newark NJ, the Children’s Day Celebration at Japan Society, and the Japan Parade. Please check out the short videos of our performances at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Weekends in Bloom event at our website: dancejapan.com. Our videos from the Japan Parade will be coming soon! Below you will find information on two upcoming events: the program we are presenting at the Queens Library (both online and in person) and our workshop for seniors at the Greenwich House Center. We hope you can join us, and help spread the word about these events!  **Culture Bridge at Flushing Queens Library** What Makes Japanese Art? Talks, Performances, and Workshops on Thursday evenings from 6-7pm at the Queens Flushing Library (both in person and online presentations) The third Installment: Sakura the Cherry blossom: the Favorite Flower of the Japanese as Expressed in Japanese Classical Dance. Aesthetics of the cherry blossom as expressed in performing arts and literature will be discussed, followed by dance performance with the theme of cherry blossom. Time: June 1, 2023, 6pm-7pm Location: Flushing Queens Library、41-17Main Street, Flushing, NY Zoom Link queenslib.org/3K1KOOV Meeting ID: 88497152533; Passcode: 0601  **Free Workshop for Seniors: Dance and Poetry of Japan** Participants will learn the basics of Japanese classical dance, repertories of the 19th century Kabuki dance, and are introduced to Japanese poetry forms of Haiku, Waka, and Renku (linking verses), as well as learning how to dress Yukata/Kimono, and more about Japanese culture. Also, participants have a chance to share dance and poetry as a public component. The goal is to enjoy sharing dance and poetry of Japan as well as learning about the Japanese culture, and to create a communal art of dance and poetry inspired by the Japanese tradition. Date: Thursdays at 10:30am to 12pm From June 8 to August 10, 2023 Open to All Seniors, Accessible to those in wheelchairs Location: Greenwich House Center on the Square at 20 Washington Square North, NY What you need to bring: Socks, dance practice attire Yukata/Kimono, a dance fan. If you do not have them, they will be provided by the instructor; two cotton ties (10 feet each). Inquiry: sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com Registration: nbrown@greenwichhouse.org (212) 777-3555 X 106 Free Workshop of Dance and Poetry of Japan is supported, in part, by Creative Learning administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council with partnership with New York City Council.  皆様 伊藤さちよ舞踊団への日頃のご支持を心より感謝しております。 木曜日6月1日にクイーンズの公立図書館で「文化の橋：桜」として、日本文化芸能における桜についてのトークと舞踊の会を開きます。オンラインと会場観客参加の両方です。 又、6月18日からは シニア対象無料ワークショップ「日本の詩歌と舞踊」を開きます。 添付のFlyer もご参照下さい。 ご高覧、ご参加 を心よりお待ちしております。 伊藤さちよ舞踊団主宰（藤間さちよ）
**「文化の橋：桜」** 日本文化芸能における桜についてのトークと舞踊の会 桜をテーマに取り上げ、日本文化、芸能、文学の中での桜の審美論の後、桜をテーマにした舞踊作品を披露します。 オンラインと会場観客参加のフリープログラム 日時：6月1日木曜日午後６時－７時 場所：Flushing Queens Library、41-17Main Street, Flushing, NY Zoom Link queenslib.org/3K1KOOV Meeting ID: 88497152533; Passcode: 0601
** シニア対象無料ワークショップ「日本の舞踊と詩歌」 ** 日時6月8日から8月10日毎週木曜日10:30am-12pm 場所: Greenwich House 20 Washington Square North、NY ワシントンパーク北側のシニアセンター (TEL：212-777-3555) 初心者・シニア向け無料ワークショップ「日本の舞踊と詩歌」を開催します。日本舞踊、和歌、連歌、俳句の紹介の後、ワークショップ参加者による俳句と日舞の基礎を踏まえた創作作品を連句形式で綴る楽しいグループワークを目指します。舞扇とお稽古着として浴衣・着物が必要ですが、お持ちでない方は伊藤さちよ舞踊団が用意致します。 質問： sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com 登録： nbrown@greenwichhouse.org (212) 777-3555 X 106 | ||
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“Sachiyo Ito and Company Day” in the City of New York!
The Office of the Mayor has officially proclaimed October 23. 2011 as “Sachiyo Ito and Company Day” in the city of New York. [view proclamation]. The proclamation was presented to Sachiyo Ito and Company by the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg at the Anniversary concert. |
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