KYOTO, Japan—Kyoto celebrated the New Year by welcoming Shen Yun’s week-long performance at the ROHM Theatre Kyoto, running from December 30 to January 5. Shen Yun’s portrayal of traditional Chinese culture deeply resonated with the audience in Japan’s historic city.
Hitomi Sakurano, a dancer with OSK Japan Opera Company, which boasts a legacy of over 100 years. She shared her deep admiration for Shen Yun’s performers and their extraordinary dedication to the “pursuit of perfection” in their dance.
“The way even their hand are perfectly synchronized shows just how much time and effort they’ve put into practicing and refining their skills. I can really feel the Shen Yun dancers’ incredible dedication to their craft,” said Ms. Sakurano.
Shen Yun’s dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.
“This really moved me. You can see the confidence and pride the Shen Yun dancers have in their art, and there’s a real inner strength that lets them fully dedicate themselves to every performance,” said Ms. Sakurano.
She was deeply moved by the cultivation culture showcased in the Shen Yun performance. She found the story of a general turning to Buddhism especially powerful.
“That story is very similar to Buddhist practices in Japan. I could really feel the shared traditions between China and Japan,” said Ms. Sakurano.
Sakurano said that at the start of the new year, she was inspired by the Shen Yun artists and feels confident that this year will be full of energy and motivation.
Her younger sister, Okuda, said, “Each program felt like a short, captivating story—both entertaining and emotional. It conveyed such a wide range of feelings, making for a truly moving and enjoyable experience. The whole show lasted over two hours, but it flew by in what felt like no time at all. I had an absolutely wonderful time.”
Ms. Sakurano’s sister, Okuda, is a model, actress, and TV host. She pointed out how Shen Yun’s performance seamlessly blends a variety of elements.
“The dancers’ movements were so perfectly synchronized—it was really impressive. And the costumes, especially the flowing water sleeves, were stunning. The way the gorgeous costumes paired with the dancing made the whole show feel both refined and dazzling. It was definitely a top-tier performance,” she said.
Okuda observed that classical Chinese dance is incredibly expressive. Even without words, the emotions and narrative come through clearly.
“I feel so lucky to have experienced such a beautiful performance at the start of the new year. As someone who is also involved in the arts, I’m excited for the year ahead and the opportunity to be part of creating even more amazing work,” she said.
Okuda added that she felt a strong connection with the scenes depicting humans receiving guidance from deities in the performance.
“For Japanese people, gods and Buddha are concepts that feel very close to everyday life. I’m not as familiar with how they are viewed in Chinese culture, but after seeing it portrayed through art, I feel like gods and deities are no longer distant or out of reach,” said Okuda.
Japanese Inventor Envisions Bright Future and Major Changes in 2025
“I’m so glad I finally got to see the show.” Japanese inventor Yasukiyo Ueda said after attending Shen Yun with his wife.
“I’ve known about Shen Yun for a long time, and I’ve always wanted to see the performance. When I heard it was coming to Japan, I knew this was my chance, so I immediately booked my tickets,” said Mr. Ueda.
Mr. Ueda said how impressed he was with the exceptional skill of Shen Yun’s artists.
“The level of performance is remarkable. What really amazed me was their incredible jumping ability. In gymnastics, athletes use a springboard to achieve such height, but Shen Yun dancers jump so high on a solid stage—it almost seems impossible for a human to do,” Mr. Ueda said.
Ueda is a Japanese inventor and co-holds multiple patents, including those for a gas separation control device, power isolation systems, and battery-powered control devices. His innovations have been integrated into various home appliances by Panasonic.
Shen Yun’s patented dynamic backdrop earned high praise from Ueda.
“It’s truly an incredible masterpiece. The way the dynamic backdrop perfectly integrates with the stage performance is remarkable. I was amazed at how precisely the characters ‘jumped’ into the background—it’s almost impossible to replicate. It’s truly stunning and adds a unique, captivating element to the show,” he said.
The piece that really struck Mr. Ueda was the tenor. Shen Yun’s singers are trained in the bel canto technique.
“The tenor’s voice was incredibly powerful, and the lyrics conveyed a deep, thought-provoking message,” said Mr. Ueda.
Celebrating the New Year with Shen Yun gave Mr. Ueda a feeling of starting anew.
“The lyrics made me feel like the world is about to begin a beautiful new chapter. It feels especially relevant as we start 2025—I truly believe this year will bring major changes. I believe the communist regime is coming to an end,” he said.
Reporting by Xiao Lei and Xu Zheng.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
From The Epoch Times
