SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Inspires Japanese Tech Expert: ‘We Must Cherish and Carry Forward the Lives Given by the Divine’

Apr 20, 2026

4/20/2026Updated: 4/21/2026

KAMAKURA, Japan—“The dance was incredibly dynamic and graceful; the soprano possessed a truly magnificent voice; and every aspect of the show was simply excellent. I was deeply moved,” Shikanai Nobuo said with great enthusiasm after attending Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 18 at the Kamakura Performing Arts Center.

Mr. Nobuo, the former head of research and development and now technical adviser for a steel corporation, is also a recipient of the Japanese Minister’s Industry and Trade Award. This was his first time seeing Shen Yun.

Reflecting on the performance, Mr. Nobuo expressed admiration for the artists’ courage in portraying religious persecution under the Chinese Communist Party. “From the performance, I sensed a profound determination. Through their art, they expressed their deepest sentiments regarding the current political and social climate in China to us,” he said.

“Addressing these issues directly could lead to various repercussions; however, since these messages were conveyed through artistic expression, I could truly perceive the unwavering conviction behind. It was truly exceptional.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and share with audiences the beauty of “China before communism.”

A striking aspect of the performance is its portrayal of both traditional culture and the realities of present-day China, creating a powerful contrast on stage.

Beyond Shen Yun’s message of uncompromising courage, Mr. Nobuo was captivated by the performance’s visual beauty. “Everything—including the costumes—was incredibly beautiful. I was genuinely captivated by the elegance and grace of the dancers’ movements.”

He also praised the Shen Yun Orchestra, known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western instruments.

“It was absolutely magnificent. I believe they integrated traditional Chinese instruments—such as the erhu—into the performance,” he said. “The way a Western-style orchestra, complete with brass instruments, blends so seamlessly with those unique Chinese instruments felt incredibly innovative. It was my first experience hearing anything like it, and I found it truly wonderful.”

Shen Yun Performing Arts is dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture, and Mr. Nobuo felt the performance conveyed profound moral themes. “The underlying message appeared to convey universal equality and—specifically—the triumph of good over evil. I perceived the performance as conveying the idea that we must cast out wickedness and strive to create a better world—and that this duty is a divine mandate, a truth handed down to us from the Divine.”

He was also struck by the soprano’s solo. “As I looked at the lyrics displayed in the background, I felt that she was powerfully advocating for the true, authentic way of life that human beings are meant to embrace. In essence, she was trying to convey the idea that we must cherish and carry forward the lives we have received from the Divine. She emphasized that under the current political regime, preserving and embracing that sacred truth presents significant challenges.”

Regarding scenes depicting persecution for faith, Mr. Nobuo reflected on their broader significance. “Ideally, religious freedom should be a fundamental right, and people should be free to express their views on various political issues without restriction. However, the current reality is that doing so is extremely difficult. Although the story is set specifically within the context of China, I strongly felt that the themes explored here—the struggle for freedom and conscience—are universal issues that resonate with people all over the world.

“I personally lived in China for about six months, and watching this performance today, I truly sensed the contrast between the atmosphere depicted on stage and the reality I experienced back then,” he said.

He applauded Shen Yun’s universal message: “Through this artistic performance, Shen Yun artists are making a compelling call for global peace, freedom, and equality.”

Reporting by Fujino Suguru and Olivia Li.

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