Various attempts have been made to incorporate elements of contemporary dance into traditional Nihonbuyo dance, but they have often ended up as superficial mixtures.
HANAYAGI Jyuo II was an exception. While practicing Nihonbuyo, he also has accomplished many achievements with his deep knowledge of contemporary dance, including serving as an advisor to Maurice Béjart for The Kabuki.
The choreography for Boléro was done by HANAYAGI Genkuro, a student of Hisao who has received training in both Japanese classical and creative dance. Boléro is based on the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime. The young Kiyohime chases after her beloved Anchin, the priest of Dojoji Temple. She is consumed by her own obsession and turns into a giant snake. This motif is called “Dojoji-mono” and has been the theme of various performances in Noh, Kabuki and dance.
In Nihonbuyo, a single fan is used to represent various objects. When held in both hands and spread out, it is a scripture; when held over the head, it is a rain hat. In Boléro, the male dancers use a long series of two fans to portray mountain paths, rivers, and even the transformed snake’s body, while expanding on and depicting the characters’ emotions.
In addition to these unique methods of expression, Boléro shows the dramatic effects of the three-dimensional spatial composition and shadowed lighting. The melody of Boléro synchronizes with the growing intensity of Kiyohime’s passion that turns her into a snake. Boléro opens up new possibilities for Nihonbuyo dance.

2021
EDO-TOKYO MUSEUM

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)
In cooperation with EPAD (https://epad.terrada.co.jp/)

＜Performance Credits＞
Based on the idea by: HANAYAGI Jyuo II
Choreographer: HANAYAGI Genkuro
Assistant Choreographer: FUJIMA Naozo
Performers: ICHIKAWA Suisen, NISHIKAWA Minosaburo, HANAYAGI Suzuhiko, FUJIMA Naozo, FUJIMA Ryotaro

Presented by: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum
In cooperation with: The NIHONBUYO Association

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Chinese Translation (Simplified): Zhenzhen WU
Chinese Translation (Traditional): NITTA Yukio
English Translation: David MCMAHON
French Translation: Meryl DESVEAUX
Russian Translation: Ekaterina TARASOVA
Spanish Translation: José Antonio AMBRIZ

＜Promotional Text＞
NORIKOSHI Takao

Bolero M.81 Charles Dutoit
Licensed by UNIVERSAL CLASSICS & JAZZ, A UNIVERSAL MUSIC COMPANY

End date of distribution: 8/2/2027