The Spirit of Kabuki Comes to Logan
It’s not often that USU students are able to see a collaboration of award-winning Japanese musicians and artists right on campus.
In fact, according to Atsuko Neely, who helped organized “In the Spirit of Kabuki,” it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On Tuesday, Sept. 25, a group of performers called the Hanayagi Mitsugi Kai gathered to perform Japanese music and dance at the Performance Hall.
Neely said Kabuki is the equivalent of a grand opera that would be seen in Italy or Spain. Since these productions are large and elaborate, Neely said the performance was just a sampling of the “essence of Kabuki”.
The members of Hanayagi Mitsugi Kai include four classical Japanese dancers, a tsuzumi (hand-held drum) player, a shamisen (three-string lute) player and a flutist. To round out the evening of Kabuki spirit, there was Kyokugei, a form of acrobatic entertainment. The group rarely performs all together, Neely said, even in Japan.
After Neely applied to have to group come preform at USU, she said a grant from the Japan Foundation and the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation allowed the Hanayagi Mitsugi Kai performers to come to Logan and share their talent. Neely said it was important to her to introduce this culture to Logan because it is very unique.
“This is such a new form of art to us, being away from big cities,” Neely said.
Prior to their evening performance, the Hanayagi Mitsugi Kai held a small rehearsal that was free and open to the public. Neely said the rehearsal was partially for the members, so they could get accustomed to performing with each other before the actual dress rehearsal.
Although Neely said some members were suffering from jet lag due to the fact that they just arrived the night before, they treated the small audience to a taste of what was to come. Using elaborate props and traditional costumes, the Hanayagi Mitsugi Kai presented a picture of classical Japanese culture.
“I went because I want to learn more about the culture before I go there,” said Torri Sant, senior majoring in exercise science and nursing, who plans on traveling to Japan some time next year.
The group donned full makeup and performed for a full house following the rehearsal. The audience gave a standing ovation as the last strings of the lute faded and the dancers graciously bowed.
“It met my expectations,” said Omar Rodriguez, a junior in mechanical engineering. Rodriguez said he first became interested in the Japanese culture when he studied the language in the Dominican Republic. “I like Japanese music and seeing it live was good.”
Neely said she hopes this experience will resonate with students and community members long after the performance has ended.
“My wish is that this will spark the interest about Japanese culture and that people will see that even though something is different, it doesn’t have to be weird,” Neely said.
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu