Shen Yun Kicks Off Asia Tour in Tokyo

(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to Japan for the seventh time, kicking off this year's Asia tour at the New National Theatre in Tokyo on January 29. Sharing common cultural roots with the performing arts company, which showcases traditional Chinese culture and values, Japanese audiences appreciated the minute details and the essence of the divinely-inspired culture. For the many culturally sophisticated Japanese, Shen Yun was a thrill.

Accomplished Ballet Dancer: Every Detail is so Graceful

Ms. Miyaura Kumiko (right), a former professional ballet dancer, took in the third Shen Yun performance in Tokyo, Japan on January 31.

Ms. Miyaura Kumiko, an award-winning former professional ballet dancer, attended Shen Yun on January 31 with her mother. She was excited by the performance. Ms. Kumiko exclaimed, “The Shen Yun dancers are of such high quality! Every detail of their bodies and facial expressions is so graceful.

“The men are very impressive and demonstrate a very strong overall expression. The women display the gentle beauty of femininity and bring an added, beautiful dimension to the dance with their hand and foot movements. Coupled with such colorful costuming and the precise, unique live orchestra, the beauty was something I haven't seen before,” she added.

As someone who has seen a lot of dance performances, Mr. Kumiko considered Shen Yun “outstanding.”

Ms. Kumiko is a recipient of the Japanese Minister of Education Award and the Governor of Tokyo Award for her outstanding achievements in dance.

Renowned Painter: Tangible Experience of the Divinely Inspired Culture

Ms. Ikei Li, a famous Taiwanese painter residing in Japan, praised the performance after seeing Shen Yun for the fifth time.

“The overall refined beauty and graceful flow of the performance provide a tangible experience of the 5,000 years of divinely-inspired traditional Chinese culture,” Ms. Ikei said. “Shen Yun Performing Arts’ perfect performance is just like heaven on earth. It’s the top performance in the world.”

She continued, “What is behind the overall spectacular show with its exquisiteness and gracefulness is the 5,000 years of divinely-inspired traditional Chinese culture, which really resonates with audience members.”

Ms. Ikei Ii is the recipient of the Japanese International Culture Medal of Honor and the Foreign Minister Award. In addition, she has won a gold medal from the Art Maison Selection Committee by Museo Nacional Del Prado.

Former UN Officer: Perfect Beyond Superior Techniques

Eugene Yamada, a former United Nations officer, was among the audience on opening night on January 29. He lived for 10 years in Taiwan and is very familiar with Chinese dance and music.

“The flow of the program is wonderful. The presentation of both the technical and non-technical aspects is perfect!” he exclaimed, adding, “Two things stand out. One is the high-level dance technique. The other one is the rich emotional expression of the performance. Both are the results of rigorous professional training.”

Mr. Yamada shared his thoughts about the vocalists, “The range is wide. The lyrics contain inner meanings of authentic Chinese culture. The expressions, including the technique and the sensibility, are outstanding.”

Mr. Yamada believes that beauty, such as that presented by Shen Yun, is immensely and intangibly enriching to life: “It's not just the audio and visual pleasure. What's most precious is the beauty felt by the heart. Shen Yun is truly extraordinary!”

Business Leader: Unforgettable Heavenly Scenes

Mr. Ichijo Yukimasa, former board of director of Hitachi, Ltd., attended the opening night of Shen Yun at the New National Theater in Tokyo, Japan.

Mr. Ichijo Yukimasa, former board of director of Hitachi, Ltd., loved the heavenly scenes depicted in Shen Yun. He said, “Once the curtain opens, I'm excited. The heavenly scenes are so beautiful, unforgettable.”

Mr. Yukimasa is a great admirer of Chinese culture. He was delighted by the inner meanings and great sense of humor of the different historic stories presented by Shen Yun.

Politician Regards Shen Yun's Mission “Very Precious”

Mr. Toshiaki Koga, Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member, saw Shen Yun for the fourth time on the night of January 31, 2014.

Mr. Toshiaki Koga, Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member, expressed his feelings about the performance: “Shen Yun has displayed the physical capability of humankind to the maximum.”

Mr. Koga further commented on Shen Yun's mission of reviving the 5,000 years of ancient Chinese civilization: “Inheriting and safeguarding long traditions may seem to be easy, but is extremely difficult. Everyone at Shen Yun Performing Arts is doing such a thing, which is very precious.” He suggests that everyone come to see Shen Yun as a way to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Shen Yun Music and Lyrics Deeply Moving

Mr. Katsutoshi Sugiyama, CEO of a telecommunications equipment company, attended Shen Yun on the night of February 1.

Mr. Katsutoshi Sugiyama, CEO of a telecommunications equipment company, was “deeply moved” by the February 1 performance. He regards Shen Yun as very different than the many musical performances he has seen. He loved the costuming and Shen Yun's signature music with its Chinese essence.

Mr. Sugiyama appreciated the live orchestra and the lyrics of the songs. He picked up on the Buddhist thought from the lyrics and resonated with the peaceful philosophy. He summed up the performance in one word: “Amazing.”

Shen Yun Performing Arts will conclude its Tokyo performances on Sunday, February 2, followed by three performances in the city of Kobe on February 5 and 6. For more information about Shen Yun, including all 2014 tour dates and locations, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.