SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Japanese Audience Says Shen Yun Only Gets Better Year After Year

Jan 19, 2023
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Japanese Audience Says Shen Yun Only Gets Better Year After Year
Mr. Hiyama Morikatu, a leather businessman, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kawaguchi Comprehensive Cultural Center Lilia in Kawaguchi, Japan, on Jan. 19, 2023. (Ren Zihui/The Epoch Times)

KAWAGUCHI, Japan—Many Shen Yun fans attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kawaguchi Comprehensive Cultural Center Lilia on Jan. 19. They said Shen Yun has always been great, and the production only gets better year after year.

“The dances are amazing, every single time,” said Mr. Kato Tomonori, the president of a real estate company.

Mr. Kato, in traditional Japanese dress, told The Epoch Times that he had attended Shen Yun four times. “I fell in love with Shen Yun when I first attended it many years ago.”

Because of the pandemic, Shen Yun hadn’t been to Japan for several years. Having waited for Shen Yun for three years, Mr. Kato quickly booked the ticket when he knew Shen Yun would back, and waited for the performance.

“The dancers’ movements and postures are always very elegant and beautiful. Every time, I was mesmerized by them,” he said. “They tumble, flip, and move in a well-coordinated manner. I enjoyed it every year. And, every year, I eagerly await the show.”

One of the aspects Mr. Kato enjoyed most was the fact that Shen Yun performs with a live orchestra, which is very different from recorded music, he said.

“The sounds of the orchestra carried into the air. You can hear the echo of different instruments, and the sound could penetrate deep into your heart. It’s the best,” he said. “When the music started, my soul was moved.”

Mr. Kato liked the Chinese instrument erhu, a two-stringed and bowed instrument that Shen Yun has in its live orchestra and often programs as a soloist.

“It only has two strings but has very rich expressiveness. Its sound is very accurate and melodious. It’s astounding,” he said.

Mr. Kato said Shen Yun presents traditional values and does so with a new production each year.

“The standard is upgraded every year. Today’s backdrop is very beautiful,” he said. “I hope Shen Yun can continually present the show and save the traditional culture.”

New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s top classical Chinese dance company, and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of the 5,000 years of China’s civilization, by using 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.

Shen Yun’s ‘Beauty Is Indescribable’

Mr. Hiyama Morikatu operates a leather business. He attended Shen Yun once a long time ago, which left on him a very deep impression. When he heard Shen Yun was back, he knew he had to see it.

“Attending Shen Yun again, all the wonderful feelings came back! The saturation of colors, the magical changing on the backdrops,” he said. “This is a real spectacular. I’m very happy that I attended.”

Mr. Hiyama said this year, he felt Shen Yun had outdone itself.

“I especially felt that the backdrop presented wider scenes, which is very magnificent. It brought me inside of it,” he said. “Every program, the beauty is indescribable. I was immediately attracted to it and was part of it.”

The dynamic backdrop is Shen Yun’s own patent. It cooperates with dancers on stage and creates what viewers have described as a comprehensive experience.

“The dancers, stage, and backdrop cooperated very well, like one body. The effect can be called ‘every thread passes through the teeth of the reed. It’s stunning,” said Mr. Hiyama, using a Japanese idiom which that means every tiny part cooperates with others perfectly.

“The female dancers’ movements are delicate and elegant. Their sleeves are like flowing water. Their beauty is eye-catching,” he said. “The male dancers are strong, masculine, and valiant.”
Mr. Kato Tomonori, the president of a real estate company, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kawaguchi Comprehensive Cultural Center Lilia with his wife in Kawaguchi, Japan, on Jan. 19, 2023. (Fujino Takeshi/The Epoch Times)
Mr. Kato Tomonori, the president of a real estate company, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kawaguchi Comprehensive Cultural Center Lilia with his wife in Kawaguchi, Japan, on Jan. 19, 2023. (Fujino Takeshi/The Epoch Times)

Mr. Hiyama said he was uplifted by Shen Yun’s brightness and happiness.

“I’m very happy. Thank you very very much, Shen Yun! I really appreciate it!” he said.

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Kawaguchi, Japan.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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