Ichinosuke Umekawa
Upon graduating from Niigata University, Ichinosuke Umekawa began his career at the prestigious Tokyo Ballet Company in 2005. Among the many works Ichinosuke has performed, standouts include Maurice Béjart’s choreograph of the Bolero, Greek Dance, and classical works such as Giselle and Sleeping Beauty.
Following a period of success and acclaim at the Tokyo Ballet Company, Ichinosuke changed courses and undertook extensive training at the Kabuki Actor Training Division of the National Theatre of Japan in 2007. For three years, Ichinosuke immersed himself in the world and training of Kabuki acting.
It was during his tenure at The National Theatre of Japan that Ichinosuke had the opportunity to receive training from the famous and nationally renowned Mr. Tamasaburo Bando, a national treasure of Japan and specialist in the Kabuki method. Mr. Bando took Ichinosuke under his wing. It was under his tutelage and encouragement that Ichinosuke immersed himself in the style of “Buyoka”, a specialist in the Japanese traditional performance arts. It was during this period of apprenticeship that he adapted his current performing alias: Ichinosuke Umekawa.
Following this three-year period of training, Ichinosuke’s style evolved to include performances with mixed-genre music, including the blending of classical and modern music. Ichinosuke has regularly performed these innovative interpretations at shrines, temples, and museums across his homeland of Japan, and the world at large. Ichinosuke stature as a “Buyoka” has only grown.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Greek Tragedy through the eye of Japanese Dance
The characteristics of classical Japanese dance which derive from Kabuki and Noh are cutting off performative neediness, seeing through quintessence, and conveying inner feeling, time and deep emotions with minimal movements. It is a way of expression.
Participants will explore the masterpiece of Greek tragedy – Oedipus Rex – through extracts of Stravinsky’s opera of the same name, filtered through classical Japanese dance. Participants will explore its history and background in order to deepen their understanding and further explore their thoughts, values and acting techniques.
The very first step for Japanese dance is to learn how to wear Yukata (summer Kimono) followed by basic movement and then practice dancing. At the end of the programme, participants will use their talent and techniques acquired from workshop to present a group performance.