Kyomai is a style of traditional Japanese dance that is intimately related to the culture of the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. The Inoue school of Kyomai dance is an elegant style with a history of over 200 years that is performed exclusively by the women of the Gion district in Kyoto. While influenced strongly by the classical Noh theater and the Bunraku puppet theater, it has developed a unique style and technique. The dancers show as little facial expression as possible, but fine movements of the eyes and delicate hand gestures express a rich emotional world. The 100 or so maiko and geiko of Gion preserve this performance style which is like a distillation of the aesthetics and etiquette of old Japan.

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

＜Program Credits＞
Performers: INOUE Yachiyo V, INOUE Yasuko
Production Assistance: Yasaka Shrine, Yasaka Nyokoba Gakuen (School of Geiko and Maiko), Katayama Noh and Kyomai Preservation Foundation
Supervision: OKADA Mariko
Video Image Production: NHK ENTERPRISES, INC.
Video Image Producers: HAMANO Takahiro
Video Image Director: OKAUCHI Hideaki, SHIBUYA Toshihide

＜Subtitling Credits＞
English Translation: Akira Mark OSHIMA
Chinese Translation (Simplified): Hanqing ZUO
Chinese Translation (Traditional): Yunhsien LIANG
French Translation: NAKAJIMA Naoko
Indonesian Translation: Dewi ANGGRAENI
Russian Translation: Tatiana SOKOLOVA DELUSINA
Spanish Translation: Mauricio MARTINEZ (https://www.japonartesescenicas.org)

© The Japan Foundation (JF) All Rights Reserved

End date of distribution: 20/1/2027