Japanese dance school presents 'magical' recital

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hanayagi Mitsuyuri (Karen Fujishima-Lee) and Hanayagi Mitsusumi (Sheree Tamura), will perform classical Japanese dance to honor the Hanayagi Dancing Academy's founding sensei Hanayagi Mitsuaki. Buyo Taikai Featuring Hanayagi Dancing Academy 1 p.m. Sunday Blaisdell Concert Hall Free

Such magical transformations occur for the Hanayagi Dancing Academy once every four years, on the occasion of its Buyo Takai, or grand recital.

This is Fujishima-Lee's first appearance as a lioness, in a "nagauta" ("long song") dance that will keep her onstage for the better part of a half-hour.

"We hope it's not more!" she said with a laugh. "It's called 'Kagami Jishi,' or 'Mirror Lion.' In a nutshell, the story is about this castle lady who starts to play with this lion hand puppet, then is possessed by the spirit of the lion and then reappears as a lioness."

Fujishima-Lee is relieved onstage by two dancers who distract the audience while she changes into the white lioness costume. And, as one might expect in this formal style of dance, they distract in elaborate fashion.

"They're personifications of butterflies," she said.

Anyone may witness the morphing of human into lion or butterfly or various other fantastic characters for free, when the 57-year-old dance school hosts the public at its concert Sunday.

Much of the costuming required is part of the collection of the academy's sensei, 88-year-old Hanayagi Mitsuaki, used only for these formal presentations.

"For this recital, we are honoring her for founding the HDA," said Fujishima-Lee, a Hanayagi student for 52 years and now one of the academy instructors.

She added that the school's usual repertoire, staged at retirement homes, hospitals and other smaller venues, are the folk dances that require less ornate makeup and attire. Some of the more intricate wigs and costumes are coming, along with five master sensei, from Japan. These masters include three musicians — a singer, shamisen player and a percussionist — and two dressers who also will assist with the white-face makeup.

"Because it's classical dance costumes, sometimes the way you wear it is very different from the ordinary costumes," Fujishima-Lee said.

Craig Nakahara's 10-year-old daughter, Courtney Hiroko, is having her first experience with formal dance, and is in the midst of her own magical makeover.

"In this particular performance she's dancing as a boy," he said. "They did try on the wig and the costume but no makeup, so she has yet to see herself fully transformed into a Japanese boy. I'm waiting to see her expression when she sees herself in a mirror."

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.