FESTIVAL DANCERS
Kiyonomoto Ryu USA Classical Dance Group
DANCE ORIGIN: Japan
GENRE: Neo-Classical
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS: Kiyonomoto Katsuho and Kiyonomoto Katsunami
CHOREOGRAPHER: Kiyonomoto Sensho
COMPANY ADMINISTRATOR: Annie Lo
First Appearance in SF EDF: 2011
Email: akylo@yahoo.com
The Kiyonomoto Ryu USA Classical Dance Group was established in 1995 in San Mateo as a branch of Kiyonomoto Ryu Classical Dance Group, Kagoshima, Kyushu Prefecture, Japan, led by Headmaster Kiyonomoto Katsuho. The group studies Japanese classical dance, Japanese traditional contemporary dance, and Japanese minyo (folkloric dance), and performs them annually at Cherry Blossom, Obon, and other Japanese cultural festivals, in an effort to honor, promote, and introduce Japanese culture throughout the Bay Area.
2011 PERFORMANCE
 TITLE: Edo no Shiki (The Four Seasons of Edo)
DANCERS: Kiyonomoto Maiho, Kiyonomoto Katsuno
Edo no Shiki—The Four Seasons of Edo, presents a neo-classical women’s dance from Japan. Edo, now Tokyo, was the seat of the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate from 1603 to 1868. Kiyonomoto Ryu dancers transport us back to that time, as they dance gracefully with sensu fans, katsura wigs, and traditional makeup and kimono. The text below is a summary of each seasonal scene described by the Edo no Shiki song. The descriptions are followed by translations of haiku from the seventeenth century poet, Basho: the poems will be read aloud in this performance.
Spring: Sailing through the city of Edo on Sumida River in a rowboat, gazing at cherry blossoms. The spring wind is blowing the blossoms when the bell rings to signal spring—the bell of the famous Sensou-ji Buddhist temple dedicated to bodhisattva Kannon.
The flowers bloom everywhere like pink clouds.
Was it the bell from Ueno or Asakusa that I just heard?
Summer: A fun summer night, enjoying fireworks on Sumida River in a brand-new summer kimono. Famous makers of fireworks—Tamaya and Kagiya—compete with their beautiful displays.
The wind of Mount Fuji that my fan offers
is my souvenir from Edo to you.
Autumn: Viewing the moon in a calm and pensive mood, surrounded by lotus leaves and chirping of the autumn insects at Shinobazu Pond, Ueno-Yamashita.
The worms are digging a hole in a chestnut on a
moonlit silent night.
Winter: Love for that special person grows when watching the snow fall at home in Negishi. I wonder who that poor camellia blossoming in the snow is waiting for?
Fluffy flower-like snowflakes clean and polish the mirror.
The piece was choreographed by Kiyonomoto Sensho, from
Kagoshima, Kyushu Prefecture, Japan, and set for this stage
by dance masters, Kiyonomoto Katsuho and Kiyonomoto
Katsunami.
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