NISHINOMIYA, Japan—After seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts, the president of a local association said that he wanted to contribute to the show.
“The color of the costumes and the light coordinate with each other perfectly. The whole stage is shining, like a precious gemstone, very beautiful. It’s astounding,” he said, picking a number of dances as favorites, marveling at the flow. “That dance is extremely nice. That kind of floating is rarely seen in a dance, which flowed like water, they moved as if they were carried on the wind. It’s spectacular.”
Mr. Ooduki said that he also enjoyed the animated backdrops and music pieces.
‘I Felt the Humanity, Compassion, Truth’
Mr. Hashimoto Yoshiyuki, president of a veterinary hospital, said that he understood the traditional values that Shen Yun delivered, and he felt his soul was cleansed by the show.“I was very touched when I saw the Buddha presented in the last program. I felt the humanity, compassion, truth, goodness, and beauty,” he said.
Traditional Chinese culture, which Shen Yun seeks to revive, is said to be divinely inspired. The performing arts company’s mission is to show the beauty and goodness of “China before communism,” and for 5,000 years that China’s civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
“Whether the male dancers or the female dancers, they raised their legs to that high and then spun. It’s not something a regular dancer can do. It’s awesome. I’m moved,” he said. “The dancers are full of power which is great.”
“The performance is fantastic!” he said. “I know Chinese history very well. I have never thought it can be presented in these ways. It’s very novel.”
Each Shen Yun performance consists of nearly 20 vignettes, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through highly-expressive art forms such as classical Chinese dance, original orchestral music performed live, soloists who sing in the bel canto tradition, animated digital backdrops, and more.
Mr. Oki said he could easily understand all programs and “watched the whole show with gusto.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company finished its performances in Nishinomiya and will deliver two shows in Kyoto on Jan. 11, but tickets are sold out. Shen Yun is performing in Kamakura this weekend.
‘Shen Yun Created a New Music Style’
Mr. Shirohama Noboru, president of a feed manufacturing company, was amazed by Shen Yun’s orchestra.“The coordination of the music with the interpretation of the dance was exquisite,” he said. “The music is very powerful. I have never heard any music as wonderful as this.”
“I think Shen Yun created a new music style, in which they use both classical Chinese instruments and Western instruments, and coordinate them so well,” said Mr. Toyota Takashi, president of a human resource dispatch company.
Mr. Toyota said he enjoyed the performance very much.
“I’m glad I’m here today,” he said. “It’s invigorating, captivating, and a definitely world-class show.”
