DUBAI, 2 January 2022 – The Japan Pavilion has captured the elegance and grace of the traditional Japanese dance Nihonbuyo in a captivating video recorded in Tokyo. The performance was originally scheduled to take place at Expo 2020 Dubai during the Japan National Day celebrations on 11 December, but was cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Nihonbuyo is a mesmerising dance form that incorporates elements of pantomime. This traditional dance, which originated in Japan in the 17th century, was mainly created to provide entertainment via stage performances.
The video performance, Diversity of Japan ~MAI~, was directed, choreographed by and stars classical Japanese dancer Hanayagi Juraku. It starts with a supple and graceful dance of female performers, dressed in colourful kimonos and using a mix of props, such as fans and hand towels (tenugui). The second part features a robust male dance depicting a lion, and comes to a dramatic end with four female dancers joining in.
Traditional Japanese musical instruments used in the performance include the shamisen, fue, taiko, otsuzumi and kotsuzumi, lending an authentic cultural touch to the production.
The video will be played at the Japan Pavilion until 3 January as part of the New Year programme.
