Salon Series

The Salon Series is an ongoing program of performances, informative and educational lectures, and lecture-demonstrations aimed at those who are interested in deepening their knowledge of the performing arts of Japan. The series is held on Sunday afternoons three times a year. For the past 19 years, with world class guest artists and speakers, the program has educated and inspired New York audiences artistically and intellectually.

The series is held at Tenri Cultural Institute (43A West 13th Street, NYC). Tickets are available through Sachiyo Ito & Company. Refreshments are served during Q/A period.

overnight no prescription cytotec Comments from Guests Attending the Salon Series

The Salon series is a wonderful exploration of dance in a way that always amazes in its willingness to expand a seemingly simple movement into the very profound and beautiful. The last series juxtaposition of three very different forms of walking was miraculous in its ability to bring awareness to so many of the choices and perspectives the dancer internalizes and then presents to the audience. No whereelse would such a performance occur. It is only because of Sachiyo Ito’s curiosity and willingness to explore that we are witness to such beauty and mastery. – ​​​​​​​​​​Christine Moore

Sachiyo Ito’s Salon Series immerses the participant in a rich atmosphere ofJapanese culture with a thematic approach to studying that country’s arts. The assimilation of Japan’s music, poetry, theater and dance with the arts of other countries is explored with distinguished artists in each field offering their expertise and inspiration. The Salon also includes an exceptional performance of Japanese classical dance by Ms. Ito. An afternoon spent with Ms. Ito is a gentle journey that nourishes the mind and spirit. – ​​​​​​Dalienne Majors

I feel blessed for my chance to attend Ito sensei’s classes and Salon Series.
Sachiyo Ito’s sophisticated understanding of harmony and beauty and her refined knowledge takes the audience into a journey in time and space. Watching Sachiyo Ito’s dance performances always makes my soul glory. Her highly mastered technique and transcendental grace leads the audience into a meditative state. Every gesture of hers is a true celebration of life, of the eternal movement. The time stops and the Universe is present. – Marija Skangale

I told so many people about “the art of walking” afterwards, and it will remain one of those (few) unforgettable experiences. I was so excited about each of the principle dancers, each one different and unique, and each equally moving. This was an extraordinary, informative, and moving afternoon. Thank you! – ​​​​​​​Sara Bloom

Salon Series 2022

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Hope you can join us.

With Warm Wishes,

Sachiyo Ito

***

Live Streaming and Public Performance

Salon Series No. 70: Cycling of Seasons through Dance and Poetry

Time: Sunday 12/12 at 3pm

Venue: Tenri Cultural Institute 43A West13th Street NYC

Public attendance Welcomed with vaccination and masks

***

Click below link to view:
Dance Japan Salon Series No. 70
“Cycling of Seasons through Dance and Poetry”

Link is active for 24 hours

Attendance is free online and at the venue, however donations to Sachiyo Ito and Company, NPO via website PayPal are greatly appreciated.

At the time of closure of 2021 and welcoming the New Year, the program will explore the turning of the seasons through Japanese classical dance and Haiku.
Dance performances include Flowers in Four Seasons, and Equinox, and improvisation on Renku(Linking Haiku verses). Audience members are welcomed and asked to join in contributing haiku verses. Sachiyo Ito will improvise dances on the contributed haiku, accompanied by live music. Those watching online can send in their haiku via chat. During the performance, Florist Katsuya Nishimori will create a life-size arrangement inspired by the dances and poetry. Also the former president of Haiku Society of America and editor and curator of haiku publications will join in the program.

Special Guests: Masayo Ishigure on koto, Yukio Tusji on percussion, Beth Griffith on vocal, John Stevenson haiku poet, Katsuya Nishimori florist.

Dancejapan of Sachiyo Ito and Company Members

* Held three times a year, Salon Series is grassroots program taking many formats, dealing with various topics, informing and investigating aspects of Japanese arts and culture. With world class guest artists, dialogues between artists and the audience often led to new insights and a deeper understanding not only of dance, but also of human nature. *

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

オンライン・ライブ配信と会場公演へのご招待

さろんシリーズ第７０回「 四季の移ろい：舞踊と連句」

日時：1２月１２日（日）午後3時－4時

場所：天理文化協会43A West 13th Street NYC

入場無料　（NPO Sachiyo Ito and Company へのご寄付歓迎）

お問合わせ ：(２１２) ６２７-０２６５/ sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com

＊ご来場の方々へ：ワクチン接種とマスクが必要とされます＊

*オンライン・ライブ配信リンク：dancejapan.com（24時間放映）*

ゲスト出演：石榑雅代、辻幸夫、ベス・グリフィス、ジョン・ステイーヴンソン、西森勝也

ダンスジャパン：藤田ゆふ、内田まみ、曹芊朔、宮井南果、ワイリー・藍子、伊藤さちよ

さろんシリーズ第７０回は「四季の移ろい：舞踊と連句」と題して、四季の移り変わりを俳句と舞踊を

連句形式で追っていきます。日本舞踊「四季の花」上演後、会場観客、そしてオンライン観客のチャットで

の投稿の俳句に伊藤さちよが即興で舞います。音楽演奏に石榑雅代（琴）辻幸夫（打楽器・尺八に）、他のゲストを迎えて上演します。

ご来場をお待ちしております。

伊藤さちよ舞踊団一同

＊「さろんシリーズ」は、日本の舞踊を焦点に当てながら、日本の伝統芸能に対する理解を多くの方々に深めて頂くために、日曜の午後に定期的に開催しています。芸能各分野のゲストアーテイストとのコラボレーション、他国との舞踊文化との比較などを通して日本文化へのより深い理解を目指しています。又、日本の舞踊、演劇、音楽に興味のある方、また勉強していらっしゃる 方々に、Q＆Aの場、楽しい意見交換のフォーラムを提供していく事を意図としています。

Salon Series 2021

Streaming of Salon Series No. 69 on Sunday June 27, 2021, EST at 3pm

Transformation and Transition: Shakespeare, Kabuki, and Now

The Salon Series #69 will explore a topic of transformation from various perspectives: gender transformation, the ordinary to the unordinary in performing arts, development of character changes, from Shakespeare through Kabuki to the present.

Theater director, actor, and writer Ernest Abuba will share discussions with Ito. The program will include Ito’s demonstration on techniques of transformation in Kabuki dance, joined by company members, Misha DuLac, and Jonathan Wong Frye. The program will conclude with the example of transformation by Ito portraying the male character in an excerpt from Ninin Wankyu (Wankyu, the Two Shadows), the Kabuki dance first staged in 1774, with Sato Kiyotomi.

Date: June 27, 2021 3pm EST

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uYjV5-d3GDg%3Ffeature%3Doembed

http://noamchen.com/Portals/36/NC_2013_catalogue.pdf *Salon Series: Japanese Performing Arts*

The Salon Series is an on-going series of performances and lecture-demonstrations on Japanese performing arts held three times a year. With world-class guest artists and speakers, the program has inspired NY audiences for the last 2 decades, 2021 will be the 23rd season of the series.

The Salon Series No. 69 is, in part, supported by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council in partnership with NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

Salon Series No.68

Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 3pm EST, “Symbolism of Snow”.

Taking the symbolism of snow, the Salon Series No.68 will be offered to herald in the snowy season and to welcome a new season of unity into the world.

Snow is a popular theme in the Japanese traditional arts, poetry, music, and dance, often symbolizing the ephemeral quality of love, as it melts away. This symbolism is central to the 18th Century Kabuki dance, Heron Maiden, to be performed by Ito. An improvisation of poetry, music, and dance by the guest artists, including international musician, Kaoru Watanabe, vocalist Beth Griffith, Russian dancer Julia Kulakova as well as Dancejapan Ensemble, will culminate the program. Each dancer will choose a poem of their culture referencing snow, and using reverence to nature as a springboard, each dancer offers their interpretation of the theme. We wish to send a message that each human being is as precious and unique as each individual snowflake, and yet similar in essence beyond differences in race, ethnicity, and culture.

さろんシリーズ第 6８回「 雪の象徴」ストリーミング

日時：１月３１日（日）午後3時－4時　EDT に ホームページのオンライン・リンク をクリックして頂くとご覧になれます。リンクは24時間有効です。

直接のリンクは1月２４日までに ホームページ上にアナウンス、又リマインダーのお知らせをお送りします。

ゲスト出演：ベス・グリフィス、渡辺薫、 ジュリア・クロカーヴァ

その他：ダンスジャパンメンバー、伊藤さちよ

上演作品は１７２６年初演歌舞伎舞踊「鷺娘」抜粋、創作舞踊「雪の降る町を」
更に、 雪の季節を迎えて新しい世界の協調を訴える即興作品は渡辺薫の音楽指導の下にロシア、アメリカ、日本を代表したアーティストが各文化の雪のシンボリズムを表現します。又、雪片が一つ一つ違うことから、文化、人種を越えた個人一人一人の尊厳さを謳いあげます。

Salon Series 2019

Streaming of Salon Series No. 68 “Symbolism of Snow”.

Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 3pm EST,

Taking the symbolism of snow, the Salon Series No.68 will be offered to herald in the snowy season and to welcome a new season of unity into the world.

Snow is a popular theme in the Japanese traditional arts, poetry, music, and dance, often symbolizing the ephemeral quality of love, as it melts away. First, we present Heron Maiden, an 18th century kabuki dance in which snow’s symbolism is central. This will be followed by dances, singing and poetry by guest artists: vocalist Beth Griffith and Russian dancer Julia Kulakova, as well as Dancejapan Ensemble. The program will be concluded by Structured Improvisation under the musical direction of Kaoru Watanabe. Enjoy the culminating collaboration, sending a message of uniqueness of culture which reminds us that each of us is like a snowflake, and yet similar in essence beyond differences in race, ethnicity, and culture.

To watch, please visit the link on January 31, at 3pm EST.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgA11pltweU

Due to many requests and as Snow Special, we decided to extend to 2/3 Wednesday 3pm.

Streaming is free, but your generous donations will help us continue streaming our programs of Salon Series and SIAC Virtual Archive Series in 2021, and will be greatly appreciated.

Donation link:

http://dancejapan.com/make-a-donation

*Salon Series: Japanese Performing Arts*

*Salon Series is an on-going series of performances and lecture-demonstrations on Japanese performing arts held three times a year. With world-class guest artists and speakers, the program has inspired NY audiences for the last 2 decades, 2021 is the 23rd season of the series.*

The Salon Series No. 68 is, in part, supported by the Japan Foundation New York Culture and Arts Grant, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council in partnership with NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

Dear Everyone,

Please join us for the re-broadcasting of the Virtual Salon Series No. 67: Prayer for Healing on Thursday November 5th at 6pm EDT.

Facing the crises of Pandemics, Sachiyo Ito and Company will offer a prayer and healing message through performance. Based on Japanese traditional symbols for peace, dances depicting cranes (Seiten no Tsuru: Cranes in the Blue Sky, and Chiyo no Tomozuru: One thousand-year Old Crane) will be performed. The crane, a symbol of longevity, is said to live for one thousand years and is also a symbol for auspicious occasions.  Healing and Peace Through the Traditional Symbolism of Cranes, The Origami Project, and Amazing Grace.

Ito will then offer two dances: Memories and Dedication, in honor of the lives of those who have departed from us.

Following the dance performances, Colin McNally, an artist and schoolteacher who completed the Origami Project, will teach the virtual audience how to fold cranes as well as explain his inspiration of the project: his artistic and educational views for folding one thousand cranes.  Both those in Japan and in the West, including many school children, are familiar with the Origami paper crane as symbol for peace and healing.

In closing the program, the international singer and actress Beth Griffith will perform “Amazing Grace” for finding a light to guide us to healing.

Date: Thursday November 5th, 6pm EDT. The link is active for 24 hours.
Please join us online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JBiHK0bUDY

Viewing is free, but if you would like to send us a tax-deductible donation, please go to our website, and click the link to donate via Paypal.  We greatly appreciate your support to help us continue offering the Salon Series.

Donate to Sachiyo Ito and Company

*The Salon Series is an on-going series of performances and lecture-demonstrations on Japanese performing arts held three times a year. Dialogue between artists and audience has provided further insights into arts and culture, thus bridging cultural differences. With world class guest artists and speakers, the program has inspired NY audiences for the last 22years. Following COVID guidelines, this presentation will be streamed on-line at the venue used for the last 2 decades.

先、10月11日生放送のさろんシリーズ第 6７回「 癒しと平和への祈り」の再放送のお知らせを致します。

さろんシリーズ第 6７回「 癒しと平和への祈り」再放送

日時：11月５日（日）午後6時　EDT
こちらのリンクよりご覧ください：

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JBiHK0bUDY

リンクは24時間有効です。

お問合わせ ：(２１２) ６２７-０２６５/ sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com　　　
ゲスト出演：Beth Griffith、Colin McNally　ダンスジャパン：曹芊朔、松本明子、伊藤さちよ

さろんシリーズ第６７回は、パンデミックの渦中、「癒しと平和への祈り」と題して、

長寿，平和　癒しの象徴である鶴を主題にした日本舞踊舞踊曲、「晴天の鶴」と「千代の友鶴」、亡くなられた方々に捧げる伊藤さちよ創作作品、“Memories”と “Dedication”を上演。

又、癌の闘病者に千羽鶴を捧げて「折り紙プロジェクト」を教え子達と共に達成した

McNally 先生をゲストに迎えし、お話しと鶴の折り方をデモンストレーションして頂き、ゲストアーティストのBeth Griffith氏に、癒しのメッセージを込めて、歌曲 “Amazing Grace” を披露して頂きます。

Viewing is free. We greatly appreciate your support to help us by tax-deductible donation to continue offering Salon Series through this PayPal link Donate to Sachiyo Ito and Company.

ご高覧をお待ちしています。

伊藤さちよ舞踊団一同/藤間さちよ

＊「さろんシリーズ」は、日本の舞踊を焦点に当てながら、日本の伝統芸能に対する理解を多くの方々に深めて頂くために、日曜の午後に定期的に開催しています。芸能各分野のゲストアーテイストとのコラボレーション、他国との舞踊文化との比較などを通して日本文化へのより深い理解を目指しています。又、日本の舞踊、演劇、音楽に興味のある方、また勉強していらっしゃる 方々に、Q＆Aの場、楽しい意見交換のフォーラムを提供していく事を意図としています。*

March 17, 2019

Salon Series #64 Dances and Cultures of the Himalayas and Japan

Co-Demonstration by Rinchen and SI

Peacock and Magpie Dance by YindaYin School

Chiyo no Tomozuru (One Thousand-Year Old Crane) by SIAC Dancers

Date: Sunday March 17th, 2019, 3-4pm

Location: Tenri Cultural Institute 43A West 13th Street NYC between 5th & 6th Avenue

Ticket: $20 (General) $15 (Student/Senior)

Salon Series 2018

Salon Series 2017

Salon Series 2016

Salon Series 2015

Salon Series 2014

Ticket:$15, $10 (Senior & Student）

Salon Series No. 49 on April 6, 2014

Ma and Breathing in Dance and Healing
Guest Artist: Wataru Ohashi

The program will focus on the highest technique in dance, the breath work. Cultivating the best uses of timing, “Ma” in executing breath with movements is the last stage of learning process, and the mastering is essential in order to be a professional performer. While shiatsu healing master will demonstrate Ma in his healing work.

Comments from guests attending the Salon Series #49

Ma means space. Ma means nothing. Ma means breath. Sachiyo Ito began her 49th Salon explaining breath techniques used by Kabuki actors to transmit emotions to the audience. After warmly encouraging her Salon audience to inhale, smile, exhale and smile, Ito effectively demonstrated the vital energy areas of the body: hara – lower abdomen, diaphragm and throat. In her first dance, Ito performed a Kabuki segment said to be performed using just one full breath. The short dance was an active flurry of movement as the character portrayed brandishing a sword, hiding and re-appearing. In her second dance sequence, an Okinawan traditional dance, the tempo was quite slow and controlled with strong level changes, abrupt arm and head moves, and direct placements of the feet. The kimono sleeves were used to express longing and connection. – Dalienne Majors

Salon Series No. 48 on February 9, 2014

Ma: Creating Sacred Space and Time, Here and Now
Guest Artists: Kaoru Watanabe (flutist/drummer), Satoshi Takeishi (percussionist), Rev. Kenjitsu Nakagaki (Calligrapher)

The prevailing theme of Salon Series in 2014 Season is “Ma,” the particular sense of space and time in Japanese arts and culture.

The first in the program investigates Ma in creating sacred space and time through sutra chanting and writing, music and dance improvisation.

Comments from guests attending the Salon Series #48

Last Sunday’s Salon was remarkably beautiful—the dance, the music, the chanting, the candles and the calligraphy. I can just imagine how much work and experience precede an afternoon like that.
– Constance C.

The Salon “Ma” was incredible. The visual, sound and poetry elements connected by your movements made the meditation of space and time profoundly meaningful. – Dalienne M.

Salon Series Topics（1998-2013）

Japanese Text version of this section »

Salon Series No. 47 on June 23, 2013

Chinese Opera and Japanese Classical Theater and Dance: Their Gestures and Stylization
Guest Artist: Yong Jhong Jia

The guest artist and Sachiyo Ito presented a co-demonstration on gestures, and abstraction and stylization of gestures in acting and dancing, followed by performances from Kun Opera and Kabuki dance. The highlight of the program was the collaboration on a Chinese poem sung as a Chinese opera, in Japanese melody, and choreographed/danced by Sachiyo Ito as a new Japanese dance.

Salon Series No. 46 on April 7, 2013

Okinawan and Indonesian Dance and Music
Guest Artist: Amalia Suryani with Saung Budaya

The program examined similarities and differences between Okinawan dance and Indonesian dance through demonstration of dance movements. Ms. Suryani and Sachiyo Ito gave a co-demonstration on the basics of dance forms focusing on hand gestures. Several Okinawan and Indonesian dances were performed to illustrate the demonstration.

Salon Series No. 45 on February 3, 2013

Gestures in Japanese Dance and Mime
Guest Artist: Yass Hakoshima

The Japanese are known to be less verbal. The program examined why and how we use them in daily life and if any of those are reflected in dance. The mime artist and Sachiyo Ito gave demonstrations to illustrate how a mime draws gestures from daily life as a comparison. To gain further insight, excerpts from Kabuki dances, Haru no Umi choreographed by Ito as well as the guest’s Fisherman were performed.

Salon Series No. 44 on June 17, 2012

The Art of Walking
Guest Artists: Marnie Thomas, Wendy Whelan

The program encompassed various dance disciplines from Japanese classical dance and Okinawan dance to ballet, and contemporary dance to exhibit the walk, the very basic of dance techniques. The co-demonstration of walking techniques was followed by a dace work from each artist. The cultural and social meanings that affect the dance forms were discussed.

Salon Series No. 43 on May 20, 2012

Meditation in Sound and Movement
Guest Artist: Ralph Samuelson

For the first time in 14 years of Salon Series, the program was presented as a workshop. Participants chose to learn Walking meditation or, Shakuhachi meditation, or both. The Japanese bamboo flute, the shakuhachi, is associated with Zen Buddhism from 16th century Japan. Playing Honkyoku pieces is referred as Sui-zen (blowing Zen), and focuses on breath and concentration with the mind of Za-zen (sitting Zen meditation). The Shakuhachi master taught how to breathe in to flute, while Sachiyo Ito led a walking meditation in the tradition of Community of Mindfulness. A dance created as a dedication to Japan’s Earthquake victims concluded the program.

Salon Series No. 42 on March 11, 2012

Seiza, the Japanese Way of Sitting in the Arts and Life
Guest Speaker: Jeremy Baber

Seiza, the Japanese way of sitting on the knees, was explained as it exists in life and the arts. An excerpt from a typical Japanese classical dance, Kagamijishi, was followed by a discussion on how the Japanese sit and also in the arts such as tea ceremony with a brief demonstration of tea ceremony, and how it is used in dance. The physical therapist explained about the functions of knees and muscles and issues in Japanese-style sitting.

Salon Series No. 41 on June 26, 2011

At the Still Point of the Turning World
Guest Artists: Elena Rivera, Beth Griffith, and Egil Rostad

The influence of Japanese Theater on Western Theater and Literature was discusses, followed by performances of Hagoromo (Shimai, Noh dance), and the new work titled, At the Still Point of the Turning World inspired by Four Quartets By T.S. Eliot with cello and vocal.

Salon Series No. 40 on May 22, 2011

What makes Japanese Art?
Guest Artists: Masayo Ihigure, T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, Kaoru Watanabe, John Stevenson, Dale Walkonen  

A collaboration of artists in various disciplines was presented.  Inspired by Haiku, calligraphy and dance presented a program of improvisation. Poetry in western style and haiku weaved through the improvisation as it developed. Post performance discussion focused on Japanese aesthetics that thread through different forms of Japanese art, “What makes Japanese art?”

Salon Series No. 39 on March 27, 2011

Butoh and Japanese Dance Tradition
Guest Artist: Vangeline

Butoh, the world-renowned contemporary dance originated in Japan in 1960s. The Butoh artist demonstrated the techniques, talked about her philosophy, and performed her work, Ritual. To guide an insight as to how their techniques and philosophy are derived from the tradition and cultural roots of Japan, Sachiyo Ito joined in the demonstration, and presented a dance inspired by her dance.

Salon Series No. 38 on May 23, 2010

Joy of Okinawan Dance and Music
Guest Artists: New York Okinawa Sanshin Club Members 

Okinawan folk music and dance with audience participation in Kachashi, the uniquely Okinawan improvisation dance, was presented.

Salon Series No. 37 on April 4, 2010

Modernity in Tradition: Asian Collaboration: Japanese and Indian Dance and Music
Guest Artists: Rajika Puri, Steve Gorn, Ralph Samuelson

Inspired by “Improvisation on Rokudan,” with Indian instruments based on Japanese melody, the dancers and musicians trained in the classical traditions of Japanese and Indian music collaborated to create contemporary works.  

Salon Series No. 36 on February 7, 2010

Fue and Shakuhachi
Guest Artists: Nobuko Miyazaki, Ralph Samuelson, Ann Marie Yoo

The program presented the demonstation and performance of Fue and Shakuhachi with dances choreographed to their contemporary pieces. The rare arrangement of Haru no Umi, from koto to violin and flute was also performed.

Salon Series No. 35 on Jan. 25, 2009

Body Discipline and Healing Arts
Guest Artist: Watru Ohashi

The program explored breath work, stance, posture alignment, use of energy called “Chi” (Ki), the idea of Ying/Yang, and centering and balancing of body mind from the view of point of one of the Asian healing arts practitioner and that of a dancer. Okinawan dance was performed to illustrate the above.

Salon Series No. 34 on March 29, 2009

Sanshin and Shamisen
Guest Artists: Saburo Ochiai, Mutsumi Takamizu, Masumi Takamizu, Nobuko Miyazaki 

Sanshin, the Okinawan three stringed instrument, was first introduced form China in the 14^th century, then transformed to shamisen on mainland Japan. Sanshin and Shamisen players talked about the instruments and their music traditions, and demonstrated how they are played. Okinawan dances accompanied by Sanshin and Jiuta-mai dances by Shamisen were performed.

Salon Series No. 33 May 14, 2009

Gagaku and Ancient Songs of Japan
Guest Artists: Tenri Gagaku Society of New York

Tenri Gagaku Music Society of New York has handed down the music tradition of the Japanese court here in New York. Following priestess dances accompanied by Gagaku, the    Gagaku instruments, the close relationship of music, dance, and religion were discussed. 

Salon Series No. 32 on June 1, 2008  

Renku and Dance: An Afternoon of Improvisation
Guest Artists: Penny Harter, William Higginson, and John Stevenson (poets); Masayo Ishigure, James Nyoraku Schlefer, Yukio Tsuji (musicians) 

This topic was well received at Salon Series No.23 in 2005, and audiences have continued to ask for a repeat. To meet this popular demand, Salon Series No. 32 presented Renku and Dance again. Following rules for Renku (linked verses) established in the 16th century, haiku and dance were linked and alternated as one inspired the other in improvised performance. Members of the Haiku Society of America joined in the program. The live music accompanied the dance was improvised by three musicians.

Salon Series No.31 on March 16, 2008

Poetry and Dance: Modern Poetry and Interpretation through Dance
Guest Artists: Hiroaki Sato (poet), Mary Myers, Beth Griffin (singers and musicians) 

In contrast to Salon Series No. 30, this program explored modern poetry in the 20th century. Selections from “Chieko-sho,” written by the modern Japanese poet Kotaro Takamura in 1940s, were read and a dance choreographed to Chieko-sho were performed to demonstrate a contemporary example of the fusion of dance and poetry.

Salon Series No. 30 on June 27, 2007

Poetry and Dance: Waka and Dance
Guest Speaker: Lewis Cook, Ph.D.

Waka, the court poetry of the 11-13th century Japan, served as the central vehicle for many of the Noh plays produced in the 14th century. Prof. Cook gave a brief survey of waka, and discussed “Eguchi,” one example of Noh based on waka poems and episodes about the legendary waka poet Saigyo. Also, a Kabuki dance, entitled “Shigure Saigyo” (Saigyo in the Autumn Rain) was performed.

Salon Series No. 29 on June 24, 2007

Okinawan Dance and Martial Arts
Guest Artist: Masahiko Honma of Karate–Do

The program examined the relationship between Okinawan dance, particularly the male dance, called Otoko Odori, and martial arts, with Karate. Meh-nu-hama, and Takadera Manzai, from Otoko Odori repertory of Okinawan dance were performed.

Salon Series No. 28 on May 6, 2007

Gagaku, the Japanese Court Music, and Contemporary Interpretation
Guest Artists: Tenri Gagaku Music Society of New York, Karl Spicer, Mutsumi Takamizu

Salon Series No. 28 presented Gagaku, the Japanese court music, with a talk on the history and tradition of Gagaku by members of Tenri Gagaku Society. Also a choreographed work by Sachiyo Ito as a contemporary interpretation was presented.

Salon Series No. 27 on Feb. 4, 2007

Comparison of Theater and Dance forms between Japan and China
Guest Artists: Ms. Anna Wu, President of the Kunqu Society

Ms. Wu and Sachiyo Ito presented a comparative demonstration on traditions and techniques of dance and theater forms of Japan and China. Members of the Kunqu Society gave a performance as well as Ms. Wu.

Salon Series No. 26 on May 21, 2006       

Contemporary Okinawan Dance: Creative Dances in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Guest Artists: New York Okinawa Sanshin Club Members

Featuring contemporary music and dances in the 20th through 21st century, and to the current popular music, contemporary dances such as Nanyo Hamachidori, and Warabi-gami were presented accompanied live.

Salon Series No. 25 on March 26, 2006   

Rituals as Sources of Creative Dance, and Comparison of Dance Forms: Korean, Japanese, and Okinawan Dance
Guest Artists: Sue Yen Park, Director of Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association.  

Dance performance and video showing on the Korean shaman’s ritual and Okinawan religious ceremony were resented together with comparative demonstration of the dance forms.

Salon Series No. 24 on Jan 29, 2006         

Geisha, Courtesan, and Fugen Bodhisattva

The program explored the arts and the social roles of geisha, courtesans, and priestesses, and their relationship with Fugen Bosatsu, one of the Bodhisattvas, who helps sentient beings toward enlightment. Dances in the program included: Kurokami, Kishi no Yanagi, and an excerpt from Shigure Saigyo.

Salon Series No. 23 on Oct. 16, 2005        

Renku and Dance: An Afternoon of Improvisation with Linked Verses and Dance

Guest Artists: Four poets from the Haiku Society of America, Terry Ann Carter, Penny Harter, William Higginson, and John Stevenson; Musicians: Yumi Kurosawa, James Schlefer, Yukio Tsuji. Following rules of Renku (linked verses) established in the 16th century, haiku and dance are linked and alternated, as one inspires the other, and composed as an improvisation.

Salon Series No. 22 on July 10, 2005        

Art as an Expression of Ethnic Identity: A Case of Okinawan Court Drama.
Guest Artists: New York Okinawa Sanshin Club Members

Sachiyo Ito discussed Okinawan court drama–how it was established and came to exemplify Okinawa’s pride in 18^th century.  The program also featured music and dances from current popular repertory showing that the tradition is alive in New York today.

Salon Series No. 21 on May 22, 2005

An Illusion of Gender Changes in the Japanese Theater and Dance

The techniques of female impersonation in the kabuki theater, and the transformation from female to male, and vice versa in the Japanese classical dance, and the social and cultural background that nurtured the Edo Kabuki was discussed and demonstrated. A kabuki dance, Hokushu, was performed as an illustration of her talk.

Salon Series No. 20 on July 11, 2004

Modernity in Tradition Okinawan Music and Dance: the Original and Adaptation
Guest Artist: Rajika Puri Indian dancer

Rajika Puri and Sachiyo Ito demonstrated comparison of the traditional dance forms and departure works choreographed by each. The dancers performed together at the end honoring each culture.

Salon Series No. 19 on May 23, 2004

Okinawan Music and Dance: the Original and Adaptation
Guest Artists: New York Okinawa Sanshin Club Members

Okinawan Court Dance and Music were presented together in their newly adopted versions.

Salon Series No. 18 on Mar 28, 2004

Aesthetics of Insanity in the Greek Drama and Japanese Theater
Guest Speaker: Prof. John Chioles, New York University

The program addressed the issue of aesthetics of insanity in the Greek drama and Japanese theater, and discussed its underlying meaning of insanity in the two theater traditions. An excerpt from a Kabuki dance drama, Onatsu Kyoran (Onatsu, the Insane) was performed to illustrate the above.

Salon Series No. 17 on Oct 26, 2003

Transformations: Gender Changes in Japanese Dance

Sachiyo Ito gave a demonstration on technique and stylistic differences between female and male roles in Kabuki dance. Sachiyo Ito and Company performed excerpts from Azuma Hakkei, Hokushu, and Danjuro Musume.

Salon Series No. 16 on May 11, 2003

Okinawan Music: Demonstrations on Sanshin
Guest Artists: Jun Yamada, and New York Okinawa Sanshin Club

Demonstration on Sanshin (Okinawan 3-stringed instrument) was presented, and musicians played several pieces from court music and folk music as they accompanied the dances.

Salon Series No. 15 on Jan 12, 2003

Linking Poetry and Dance

A program of improvisation of dance inspired by Haiku, which were composed by audience was presented.

Salon Series No. 14 on Sept 15, 2002

“Egolessness” in Performance
Guest Artist: James Nyoraku Shlefer

Mr. Schelfer, the Shakuhachi Grand Master of Kinko School, gave a talk on the issue of egoless ness in performance, and played Shakuhachi. Sachiyo Ito danced to his music, “Night Pond” (Composed by Jeffery Lepondorf, choreographed by Sachiyo Ito).

Salon Series No. 13 on Apr 21, 2002

Choreographic Themes in Japanese Classical Dance
Guest Artist: Sahotoyo Tachibana

Exploring the themes in Japanese classical dance—from love stories in Kabuki plays, puppet plays to symbolism in the nature, as expressed in the Japanese poetry several kabuki dances were performed.

Salon Series No. 12 on Jan 20, 2002

Karate and Okinawan Dance
Guest Artists: Isami Shiroma, Grand Karate Master, and his Disciples

The program explored if there are similarities in the movement patterns and basic techniques such as use of breath between Karate, the martial art, and Okinawan Dance.

Salon Series No. 11 on Oct 28, 2001

Differences in Choreographic Styles and Movements among Schools of Classical Japanese Dance
Guest Artists: Sahotoyo Tachibana, Tahotae Tachibana 

The program examined if there were differences in the movement patterns and basic techniques among schools of Japanese classical dance. Dance demonstrations will include experts from Echigojishi, Asazumabune (kabuki dances) performed in the styles of Hanayagi, Fujima, and Tachibana Schools.

Salon Series No. 10 on Apr 15, 2001

The Concept of Power in Female Style Dance Forms and Narratives in Indonesia,

and Its Relationship to the Dojoji Legend of Japan
Guest Artist: Deena Burton

Indonesian dance, Kabuki dance and Okinawan dance were demonstrated by Deena Burton and Sachiyo Ito, and they explored predominant themes in their dance forms.

Salon Series No. 9 on March 11, 2001

Transformation and the Power of Obsession in Dojoji and Other Kabuki Plays
Guest Speaker: Dr. Samuel Lieter, Brooklyn College

Professor Lieter discussed the theme of transformation in Kabuki plays focusing on the Dojoji genre. Sachiyo Ito performed excerpts from Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji (Kabuki dance), based on a legend surrounding the Dojoji Temple to illustrate his talk.

Salon Series No. 8 on Jan 14, 2001

The Dojoji Legend and Expression of Love in Kabuki and Okinawan Dance

Eido Shimano Roshi, Abbot, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kondo-ji and Shobo-ji, discussed the Buddhist morality tale, the Dojoji legend surrounding the bell of Dojoji Temple. Sachiyo Ito discussed Okinawan version of the story and performed excerpts to illustrate their talks.

Salon Series No. 7 on Oct 8, 2000

Hand Movements of Okinawan Dance from Ancient to Modern as Compared to Kabuki Dance

Sachiyo Ito demonstrated techniques of hand movements and gestures of Okinawan dance as she compared those of Kabuki dance. Hamachidori, Nanyo Hamachidori, excerpts from Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji were by performed as illustrations.

Salon Series No. 6 on Apr 16, 2000

Styles and Movements of Okinawan dance as Compared to other Dance Forms of Japan

Sachiyo Ito, Ph.D. discussed styles and movements of Okinawan dance. She examined differences and similarities with those of Noh, Kabuki, and Jiuta-mai.

Dance demonstration included Kashikaki, Hamachidori, and Me nu Hama.

Salon Series No. 5 on Jan 31, 2000

The Art of Jumping and Stamping in Japanese Dance

Sachiyo Ito demonstrated techniques of jumping and stamping in Kabuki dance, and demonstrated sections from Tomoyakko and Tamatori Ama.

Salon Series No. 4 on Oct 31, 1999

The Art of Walking in Japanese Dance

Sachiyo Ito demonstrated techniques of waling in Kabuki dance and Okinawan dance. Hokushu (Kabuki dance) and Nuha-bushi (Okinawan dance) were performed as illustrations

Salon Series No. 3 on Jul 11, 1999

Techniques and Styles of Jiuta-mai as Compared to Kabuki and Okinawan Court Dance Forms

Sachiyo Ito, Ph.D. discussed the techniques and styles of Jiuta-mai, one of the Japanese classical dance forms. Jiuta-mai is gaining a new recognition among various forms of Japanese dance. The demonstration focused on differences and similarities with Kabuki dance and Okinawan court dance, and Kurokami was performed.

Salon Series No. 2 on Mar 14, 1999

Mai, Odori and Buyo (Dance, dance, dance)

Representing various genres of Japanese dance, Mai, Odori and Buyo , Hagoromo from Noh, Nishimonai Bon Odori from folkloric dances, and Fuji Ondo and Koma from Kabuki dance repertory were performed.

Salon Series No. 1 on Dec 6, 1998

Matsuri (Festivals) and the Performing Arts

Examining the close relationship between Matsuri (festivals) and the performing arts with a slide lecture by Sachiyo Ito, Ph.D., gave a talk and performed Sambaso, the Kabuki dance, and Kajade-fu, the Okinawan dance.