Nihon-Buyo in the 21st Century: from Kabuki Dance to Boléro

For one night only, Japan Society presents Nihon-buyō (literally "Japanese dance"), an elegant, refined art form performed by artists skillfully trained in kabuki dance. For over a century, Japan Society in New York City has built connections between Japan and the United States through arts and culture. The Kennedy Center has a decades-long commitment to presenting artists of Japanese heritage, and has partnered with Japan Society to feature their annual tours across the U.S. Its exciting annual presentation with the Kennedy Center features the Nihon-buyō dance pieces Toba-e and Boléro, along with performances by musicians playing traditional Japanese instruments.

Toba-e is a charming comedic work in the style of kabuki dance, based on the animal-centric Japanese caricatures of the same name. Boléro is a riveting new dance set to French composer Maurice Rovel’s score, retelling the heartbreaking and vengeful legend of Anchin and Kiyohime. All works will offer a unique insight into Japanese culture and deliver indelible, ravishing images.

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