HACHIOJI, Japan—On the afternoon of January 24, former artistic gymnastics olympian Honami Tsuboi was amazed by the expressive dancing of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“The artists’ expressive power was extraordinary. Even their fingertips and toes fully displayed beauty and elegance, conveying delicate emotions,” said Ms. Tsuboi.
Ms. Tsuboi was a renowned artistic gymnast who represented Japan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“The performance was full of vitality, and the artists’ cohesion, along with their exquisite skills, were deeply moving. They conveyed emotions through body language, and this silent form of expression was amazing,” she said.
“The male dancers’ jumps were both high and soft, and their expressions were vivid and natural. Clearly, they had achieved this through intensive training,” said Ms. Tsuboi.
“The yellow blossom dance suddenly changed formations, resembling blooming flowers. The artists created a beautiful atmosphere, infecting the audience. In such an atmosphere, the performance ended before you even realized it,” said Ms. Tsuboi.
As a retired athlete, Ms. Tsuboi became a coach and also began painting. In 2022, she held her first solo art exhibition.
“Japanese styles [of art] usually adopt relatively plain approaches and do not use bright colors much. In today’s performance, the costume colors were very vivid, using colors like sky blue and artistic pink. It was very natural and truly pleasing to the eye,” she said.
“I was excited and inspired by what I saw today, and I wanted to apply these techniques to my future paintings,” said Ms. Tsuboi.
On the afternoon of January 25, Masataka Nakano, an advisor for the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, attended the second show of Shen Yun in Hachioji.
Mr. Nakano believes in the Taoist concept of yin and yang, and he saw this reflected in Shen Yun’s dances.
He said the dances displayed a balance, “as if there was tranquility after the excitement. The dance showed the mutual blending of movement and stillness, or you could say the yin and yang were well embodied in the dance.”
“This was my second time seeing Shen Yun, and the experience was even more profound. Each performer was like a brilliant gem, and the stage was like a treasure chest filled with endless treasures,” praised Kumiko Miyaura, a ballet teacher.
“I sat very close to the stage so I could better feel the performers’ expressions and body language. Their eyes sparkled with radiance, and everyone was striving towards the same goal,” said Ms. Miyaura.
As a dance teacher, she shared that success in dance can only be achieved when the dancer is entirely committed to the art.
“Wholehearted dedication is crucial,” said.
