TOKYO, Japan—There are many parallels between classical Chinese dance and martial arts. Tatsuo Takeshima, a karate master, found inspiration to improve his own technique after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“Five years ago, after seeing Shen Yun, I learned a lot, so I came to see it again today and once again feel enlightened,” said Mr. Takeshima, the director of the Judo and Jujitsu-style Karate Holy Heart Hall.
“For example, the smooth and gentle movements, as well as the jumps that incorporate spins. I found that they could turn very smoothly, which requires a solid foundation,” said Mr. Takeshima, who holds an eighth-degree blackbelt.
“Typically, gymnasts perform one fast movement after another, but Shen Yun performers can rotate their bodies gently as if floating in the air. I know that it is a high-level skill. It’s really not easy to achieve that kind of rotation. I think they use the lower abdomen and the power within it,” he said.
“You can see it all. It is a kind of softness from the inside-out because softness can overcome hardness, and within gentle strength, there is toughness,” said Mr. Takeshima.
On the afternoon of Jan. 31, Miki Kikkawa, executive director of Kikkawa Corporation and chairwoman of the Cultural Heritage Town Development Education Foundation, attended Shen Yun’s fourth performance at the Bunkyo Civic Hall in Tokyo.
“I was deeply moved! The beauty of the performance was beyond words, and it brought tears to my eyes,” Mrs. Kikkawa said.
“Each dance was unique and had its own characteristics. In the female dance, the performers’ steps were elegant with graceful and beautiful long sleeves, creating a captivating scene,” she said.
Classical Chinese dance is one of the most technically demanding dance forms in the world. Dancers must be flexible yet strong to perform all of the tumbling techniques involved.
“The male dance was robust and powerful, full of strength and beauty. I truly felt a great energy that was soul-stirring. I was deeply impressed by the fact that the human body, through training, can achieve such extreme beauty,” said Mrs. Kikkawa.
“The lyrics made people feel the arrival of a new era. The concept of ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance’ will truly guide humanity back, and this message is strongly conveyed,” said Mrs. Kikkawa.
“This was a perfect integration of traditional Chinese instruments and Western instruments. This was my first time experiencing it. The rhythm was moving, and the beauty of the music was indescribable,” said Mrs. Kikkawa.
Ancient China believed that music should come before medicine. It was believed that listening to the right music could heal the body.
“I truly found healing in the music. Today’s performance comforted my soul, and my mind and body became relaxed and comfortable,” she said.
On Jan. 31, 2024, Keiko Kawazoe, a renowned Japanese media personality and documentary writer, attended the fourth Shen Yun performance at the Bunkyo Civic Hall in Tokyo.
“An extraordinary performance! It exceeded my expectations,” Ms. Kawazoe stated.
Ms. Kawazoe is considered an expert in international affairs and Chinese issues. She has written over 20 books on Asian and international politics.
“Communism promotes atheism. It advocates the law of the jungle, pursues money and material enjoyment, and denies divinity. However, the Chinese have revered heavenly spirits since ancient times. The Japanese also believe in the divine. I resonate with this; I believe that humans live under the protection of the divine,” said Ms. Kawazoe.
“In terms of artistic expression, the digital backdrops made the performance highly enjoyable and unique, providing an unparalleled experience. Such a performance required little prior knowledge, and even children could fully understand it,” said Ms. Kawazoe.
“The scene presented was like at the end of the world, where good people were saved, conveying the idea of ‘goodness reaps good rewards,’ giving hope to kind-hearted individuals about the future.”
Shen Yun will perform in three more cities in Japan before heading to Taiwan.
