Beyond the Dance: Symbolism and Aesthetics in Nihon Buyo

Date
Thursday 4 December 2025

Time
6.45pm 

Venue
The Swedenborg Society
20-21 Bloomsbury Way (Hall entrance on Barter St)
London WC1A 2TH
[Map]

Booking Details
Booking essential – Priority booking for members of The Japan Society
Members of The Japan Society and their Guest: £15.00
Non-members: £20.00

The Japan Society is delighted to welcome Chihiro Yoshimura, an award-winning dancer of kamigata-mai, in partnership with Kayono-no-Kai, to explore the elegance and symbolism of Japanese dance.

Kamigata-mai is a classical form of nihon buyo (traditional Japanese dance) that flourished in the Kamigata region (Kyoto and Osaka) during the 19th century. This event will uncover its history, links with Noh, Bunraku, and Kabuki, and the meanings behind refined movements such as the use of the fan, timing (ma), and gaze.

In this event, Chihiro Yoshimura will introduce Nihon Buyo to the audience with a short presentation and discussion. The event will also include live demonstrations and a short performance of Kiku no Tsuyu (“Chrysanthemum Dew”), a delicate piece celebrating autumn’s beauty and the fleeting nature of life through elegant fan work and subtle eye levels.

Performed to jiuta music with the shamisen, it expresses deep emotion through subtle, graceful movements and quiet restraint.

In contrast to the dynamic style of Kabuki, Kamigata-mai embodies the beauty of stillness, harmony and inner expression.

This event offers a rare opportunity to experience the cultural depth, symbolism, and artistry of nihon buyo—perfect for anyone interested in dance, Japanese traditions, or the beauty of movement.

Chihiro Yoshimura is a master of Jiuta-mai (Kamigata-mai), a traditional Japanese dance known for its elegance and subtlety. She trained under the late Yoshimura Yuki, a Living National Treasure and head of the Yoshimura school. In 1979, she became a certified performer (Natori), and in 1983, earned the rank of Shihan (master instructor). Her performances are praised for their emotional depth and refined technique. 

Yoshimura has received multiple awards, including the Grand Prize at the New Year Dance Festival. She also appeared in the opera Ryōkan and Teishin-ni, showcasing her versatility. Dedicated to education, she participated in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ outreach programs and leads two dance groups: Chihiro-kai and Jiutamai ni Shitashimu Kai. Based in Tokyo and Yokohama, she continues to teach and perform, preserving the art of Jiutamai while making it accessible to new generations. 

Kayoko Kimura, known by her stage name Kayono, is a performer and instructor of Nihon Buyo, the classical Japanese dance form celebrated for its elegance and precision. She studied Nihon Buyo under master Sueyuki Hanayagi, a recipient of the Japanese Medal of Honor with purple ribbon. Her debut performance was Miyako Dori at the National Theatre of Japan. In 2021, she joined the Kamigata Mai Yoshimura School and continues to train under master Chihiro Yoshimura in Japan.

With more than two decades of experience, she has established Kayono-no-Kai, her own dance school in Highgate, London, where she shares the beauty of traditional Japanese dance with diverse audiences. She actively collaborates with educational and cultural institutions, having led workshops at University College London, introduced Nihon Buyo on BBC, and taught with the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA). In 2021, she joined the Kamigata Mai Yoshimura School and continues training under Chihiro Yoshimura, deepening her practice and cultural engagement.

If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.

In Partnership with

日本舞踊　かよ乃の会
Kayono-no-Kai