I am glad to have caught tonight's performance at the Nafa Campus compliments of Japan Creative Centre's 1st anniversary celebrations. The last item - a kabuki dance really struck a chord and lifted my spirits which were dampened by a string of unpleasant events.
My friend remarked that subtitles would have been helpful to decipher what the background singer was singing in tune to the dance. But personally, the dancer on stage needed no further translation. Through his controlled and artful movements, once could sense the character's emotions and intentions. Be it a hop in gaiety or a stride of authority, the actions bring a smile to my face as my soul resonates to the joy that the performer is displaying in his subtle body language under the calculated movements of dance. The beautifully painted backdrop enveloped by the soothing sounds from the shamizen and other percussion emsemble add an air of mystique and transport one instantly into the old streets of Japan.
Do what you love and never have to work another day in your life! What bliss.
Picture courtesy of JCC main website http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC/event_BUYO_04112010.html
