FUKUOKA, Japan—On the afternoon of May 6, Masuda Tsuyoshi, a former IBM executive, attended the fourth performance by New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts at Fukuoka Civic Hall in Japan. Deeply impressed by the artists’ skill and artistry, he exclaimed, “This has exceeded human limits; it’s truly amazing.”
Mr. Masuda was astonished by the extraordinary technical ability displayed by Shen Yun’s dancers.
“When they performed somersaults, their heads were nearly at the same height as when they were standing upright,” he said. “I couldn’t help wondering, how high are they jumping? It’s incredible.”
“Perhaps it is their exceptional expressiveness, or the extraordinary grace of their movements, but their arms appeared exceptionally long,” he remarked.
“It is evident that the costumes were carefully designed, with every detail considered to create the most beautiful effect,” he said. “The female dancers looked incredibly graceful when they twirled in their long-sleeved costumes.”
He added that the costumes’ intricate patterns further enhanced the visual impact of the dances.
“The costumes were not simply one color,” he said. “They featured patterns that made the spinning movements appear even more magnificent.”
In addition to the performance’s visual beauty, Mr. Masuda admired the dancers’ technical precision and versatility.
“The physical techniques were extremely impressive and aesthetically beautiful,” he said. “The second half of the performance also had a more humorous atmosphere. Although it contained important moral themes, it was highly entertaining.”
He noted that even the lighthearted moments required tremendous skill.
“Those comedic movements would actually be impossible without superb technique,” he said.
The performance left Mr. Masuda continuously reflecting on the level of training required to achieve such excellence.
“I kept wondering, what kind of training did they undergo?” he said. “But more than the technique itself, I sensed the beauty.”
“The ability to synchronize so many movements so perfectly with the live music and the backdrop is truly amazing,” he said. “Because I used to play guitar, I understand how difficult that is.”
Mr. Masuda also spoke highly of Shen Yun’s original musical score and the expressive qualities of traditional Chinese instruments.
He was especially amazed by the orchestra’s precision during scenes filled with stage effects.
“When a large amount of dry ice covered the stage, it should have been impossible to clearly see the conductor or even the music sheets,” he said. “Without memorizing everything beforehand, it would be impossible to perform. I think the musicians are truly remarkable!”
