For over 50 years, Sachiyo Ito has brought East and West together through her delicate and powerful performance of classical, traditional, and contemporary Japanese dance.

"Sachiyo Ito, an expressive and powerful performer, is, at the same time, touching delicate."
ーThe Village Voice — "Sachiyo Ito, an expressive and powerful performer, is, at the same time, touching delicate." ー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 — "Ito has achieved mastery of [traditional] forms, absorbing the necessary discipline and techniques. Ito was a model of control and refinement." —Dance Magazine

"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 is a graceful dancer/choreographer/teacher of quiet power." —Attitude Winter 2002

"Sachiyo Ito has a rare understanding of the culture of her country, and she is able to intrigue and enchant with her knowledge and her artistry." —Dance Perspectives

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to share with you the latest chapter of Sachiyo Ito’s captivating memoir, which explores the enchanting theme of transformation through dance. While previous chapters delved into darker transformations, this new installment takes flight with more ethereal and beautiful metamorphoses. Ito reflects on the symbolism of birds in Japanese culture, particularly the grace and purity embodied by cranes and herons. As we enter the autumn season of bird migrations, this chapter offers a poignant meditation on the power of dance to evoke the freedom, beauty, and spiritual transcendence associated with our feathered friends. Ito’s insights promise to elevate your perspective on the intersection of nature, culture, and art.

Best wishes,
Sachiyo Ito & Company

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Memoir

This year renowned dancer, dance educator, and choreographer Sachiyo Ito has been serializing her memoir on JapanCulture•NYC with monthly installments, each chapter revealing a different aspect of her early life in Tokyo and career in New York City.

Ito offers of a profound exploration of the experience of dedicating herself to traditional Japanese dance at an early age, arriving in New York City during the tumultuous ‘70s, and making a successful career in the arts. Each chapter offers a glimpse into the complexities that shaped her journey. It is a literary examination of not only Ito Sensei’s life, but of how New York City’s culture evolved over the decades and what sacrifices one must make to achieve a thriving career in the arts.

The memoir is an invitation to delve into the layers of a creative life and career that has spanned more than 50 years. As a work in progress, it is also an invitation for you to offer your feedback. Your insights will contribute to the evolution of this extraordinary work.

Memoir Chapters

2023 NJ Cherry Blossom Festival

Hudson River Museum 2023

Odori-zome (New Year Dance) 2024

Meet the Founder

Sachiyo Ito is an educator, choreographer, and has performed and taught Japanese dance for the last 52 years in the United States. In 2008, she received Foreign Minister’s Award from Japan in recognition of her work of promoting Japanese arts and culture, and to bridge peoples of the USA and Japan, in 2011 received City's Proclamation commemorating her company's 30 years of community service.

Born in Tokyo, she holds a M.A. and Ph.D. in Dance from New York University, and was awarded the name Sachiyo Fujima from the Fujima School of Japanese classical dance in Tokyo. She has taught at major colleges including the Juilliard School and New York University as Adjunct Professor and has been a visiting professor at colleges around the USA.

In 1981 she founded Sachiyo Ito and Company, a professional dance company and a school of Japanese dance, as well as a non-profit organization, to dedicate community services in New York, and to further choreograph Japanese dances based on traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Extensive performance credits in Japan, USA, South America, and Europe include American Dance Festival, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Japan Society, Asia Society, New York City Center, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Dublin Theatre Festival, and Bonn International Dance Workshop.