Contradiction, anguish and entanglement are exposed
when three dancers merge finite bodies and infinite souls

A man, a shadow, and a woman.
As time bends and the pall of death hangs in the air, unlikely encounters kindle a story of forgiveness and rebirth. (NAKAMURA Megumi)

After winning the Professional Level Prize at the Prix de Lausanne international competition in 1988, NAKAMURA Megumi relocated to Europe. She danced at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo before joining the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), led by Jiří KYLIÁN, where she performed in productions by top international choreographers. After retiring from the NDT, she coached other dancers in KYLIÁN’s choreographies and worked as an instructor at the Opéra national de Paris and other ballet companies and schools worldwide. Since returning to Japan in 2007, NAKAMURA has focused on developing as a choreographer. She has expanded her activities to produce works for The National Ballet of Japan at the New National Theater, Tokyo. NAKAMURA Megumi has been presented with many awards including The Art Encouragement Prize awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon.

SHUTO Yasuyuki joined The Tokyo Ballet when he was fifteen and made his debut as principal dancer at nineteen. As principal, he starred in many productions ranging from classical works to productions by well-known contemporary choreographers including Boléro and M by Maurice BÉJART, and works by Jirí KYLIÁN and John NEUMEIER. After retiring from the troupe in 2004, he appeared in productions by choreographers and directors in Japan and abroad including Swan Lake by Matthew BOURNE and Apocrifu by Sidi Larbi CHERKAOUI. He has also performed his own productions. In recent years, SHUTO has branched out to act in films and television dramas. He has been presented with many awards including the 62nd Art Encouragement Prize awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

AOKI Naoya started to dance at age sixteen and was a member of the Noism Company Niigata from 2004 to 2008. His choreographies include Tagaini_so for the Japan Ballet Association. He was awarded the Grand Prix at the Dance Summit in Japan 2017 and has been presented with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award. AOKI is the founder of the Aoki Naoya Group Work Project. In recent years, he has broadened his perspective on the applications of dance in society organizing lessons at elementary schools and public workshops at community centers.

In “A Chronicle of the Time Yard,” these three artists dance in beautiful, dignified harmony as they portray a lonely man (SHUTO), his relationship with his shadow (AOKI), and his romance with a charming woman (NAKAMURA) that breaks up in the end.

The production is also notable for its delicately aesthetic stage sets by Netherlands-based SATO Keiko.      

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)

＜Performance Credits＞
Choreography : NAKAMURA Megumi
Performer: NAKAMURA Megumi (Woman), SHUTO Yasuyuki (Man), AOKI Naoya (Shadow)
Narration: SHUTO Yasuyuki, NAKAMURA Megumi
Installation : SATO Keiko
Music : Dirk HAUBRICH
Costume: SEYAMA Yoko
Organized by: Kanagawa Kenmin Hall
Supported by: The Agency of Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho)
Poem: Emily Dickinson （Translation: NAKAJIMA Tamotsu Publisher: Kokubunsha）
In cooperation with: SAYATEI / STYLEJAM, Inc. / Documentary Japan, Inc

Recorded on January 8th, 2010 at Kanagawa Kenmin Hall Gallery

End date of distribution: 31/8/2022