Mme. Hisami Wakayagi’s buyo dancers in Italy, Sept. 24- 25, 2005

Cultural News, September 2005

  Mme. Hisami Wakayagi’s buyo dancers “Hana no kai” in Los Angeles will be sent to Italy for a cultural exchange program by the Association of Daily Japanese Life and Culture in Tokyo. Mme. Hisami Wakayagi, with her four apprentices, will leave Los Angeles on Sept. 21 by Lufthanza Airlines, and five veteran dancers of Seiha Wakayagi School in Tokyo, including Hikosaemon Wakayagi, will join with Mme. Hisami in Matera, Italy.

  They are scheduled to have performances on Sept. 24 in Matera and Sept. 25 in Potenza. Mme. Hisami’s Hana no kai will return to Los Angeles on Sept. 28.

  The program in Italy will include: 1) Ryusei by Hisami Wakayagi, Kirara Wakayagi, Amelia Cantlay; 2) Four Seasons in Japan, Summer by Hana Wakayagi, Syoho Wakayagi, Fall by Amelia Cantlay, Winter by Yui Kirihara, Spring by Rie Watanabe, Kichiino Wakayagi, Kirara Wakayagi, and Kakuei Wakayagi; 3) Koi Yurei by Hisami Wakayagi and Hikosaemon Wakayagi.

   The Association of Daily Japanese Life and Culture has been sending overseas missions for over 20 years in an effort to introduce Japanese traditional cultures such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, buyo, kimono and calligraphy.

   Last year, Hana no kai was sent to Romania with over 100 delegations from various cultural groups in Japan. During this trip, Mme. Hisami noticed that Romanian audiences were moved deeply by her dances, and was, therefore, convinced that Japanese buyo dance was understood universally.