TOKYO, Japan—Two Japanese theatergoers learned about authentic Chinese culture from Shen Yun Performing Arts’s performance. They were much moved by the company’s devotion to reviving traditional Chinese culture around the world, and thought that what Shen Yun does is magnificent.
Falling in Love With Chinese Culture
“It was the first time I saw Chinese dance,” Ms. Marie, a Japanese magician, said. She decided to see the show because her friend recommended it as an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Although I am not acquainted with traditional Chinese culture, I really enjoyed the great Chinese culture represented by Shen Yun’s fabulous performance,” she said.
Ms. Marie said except for Japanese culture, she “was not interested in any culture of other countries at all,” but she fell in love with traditional Chinese culture after seeing Shen Yun’s second show at the New National Theatre in Tokyo on April 25.
“Classical Chinese dance has a long history of thousands of years, and while soaking up profound wisdom from every era and dynasty, it has become a complete system of dance, embodying traditional aesthetic principles,” says the Shen Yun website.
“The dance was so lively and so powerful. It was incredible, almost divine!” Ms. Marie said. “Accompanied by the live music and combined with backdrops, the dancers danced beautifully. I was imbued with strong energy radiating from the dance, which really uplifted me.”
“Sophisticated dance techniques, an orchestra joining instruments from both the East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning backdrop—this is Shen Yun at first glance. But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture,” states the website.
Ms. Marie was particularly touched by the performers’ devotion to reviving the ancient culture. “I believe all performers’ hearts and dance movements were aiming at just one direction. Their hearts were so together that they synchronized with each other in all details in their movements.”
“I think their sincerity and devotion reached the audience members as I was really moved by the performance,” she said.
‘The world will definitely be brighter because of it’
“I was really touched by seeing Shen Yun spreading traditional Chinese culture wholeheartedly” around the world, Ms. Seki Mitiko said. The performers were so devoted to reviving ancient Chinese culture that she couldn’t believe Shen Yun Performing Arts Company comes from the United States.
Ms. Seki Mitiko, owner of Sky High Advertising agency, said she learned a lot about traditional Chinese culture after seeing Shen Yun’s performance for the first time on April 25. “I felt familiar with what is represented in the performance due to the similarity between Chinese and Japanese cultures.”
She thought Shen Yun’s mission to revitalize traditional Chinese culture “is a magnificent deed,” explaining, “since the 5,000 years of culture has almost been destroyed in modern China.”
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts seeks to revive authentic Chinese culture that has been almost lost due to systematic destruction by the Chinese Communist Party over the past 60 years.
In ancient China, the Chinese honored the will of heaven. Shen Yun aims to restore the legacy and beauty of that tradition. Ms. Seki was inspired by it, saying, “I believe Shen Yun’s performance will bring peace to the world. The performance’s touring itself has granted us a lot of courage.”
“The world will definitely be brighter because of it,” she said at last. “I deeply appreciate it.”
Reporting by Sunny Chao and Frank Fang
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
