SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Leaves Lasting Impression on Renowned Japanese Illustrator

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Shen Yun Leaves Lasting Impression on Renowned Japanese Illustrator
Komiya Saeko watched the Shen Yun Performing Arts first performance at the Sakai Performing Arts Center, in Japan, on Jan. 13, 2024. Fujino Wei/The Epoch Times

SAKAI, Japan—For award-winning illustrator Saeko Komiya, color is something she immediately latched onto when she saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sakai Performing Arts Center on Jan. 13.

“The color combinations of Shen Yun costumes are unique,” said Ms. Komiya, whose work was selected as one of the 10 “Best Film Festival Posters of 2020” worldwide.

Each costume a Shen Yun artist wears is handcrafted with colors inspired by the attire worn in the heavens.

“I particularly paid attention to the details in the costumes. The combination of colors such as green and pink, orange and blue is rarely seen in Japan, and it truly left a lasting impression on me,” remarked Ms. Komiya.

She also expressed that the unique color combinations she saw in Shen Yun will influence her future works of art.

“As an art creator, the colors of Shen Yun costumes will inspire my work and become a part of my creations,” she said.

Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, a China before communism.

“Although I know Shen Yun represents traditional culture, I still felt a sense of freshness from it. This experience really broadened my horizons.

“The tradition behind each dance was combined with a modern touch. I admired the contemporary elements and designs. Seeing Shen Yun was like going on a journey through traditional Chinese culture,” said Ms. Komiya.

After the disasters at the start of the New Year, Ms. Komiya expressed that seeing Shen Yun has helped her cope.

“Considering the recent earthquakes in Japan, this experience gave me a lot of strength,” she said.

Hospital Director: Shen Yun Artists Seem To Have Divine Assistance

Internal Medicine Hospital Director Nobuo Nagate also saw Shen Yun at the Sakai Performing Arts Center.

“Every Shen Yun artist was exuding a sacred and otherworldly aura, very divine as if assisted by a higher power. They conveyed beautiful messages that deeply moved me,” Mr. Nagate said.

He was particularly impressed with the erhu solo. The erhu is a two-stringed instrument known for its ability to imitate the human voice.
“The live music performance was outstanding, especially the erhu solo. The sound was soul-stirring, and it deeply touched my heart. It was my first time listening to the erhu live, and it was fantastic,” said Mr. Nagate.

Classical Ballet Dancer: Shen Yun Cannot Be Imitated Or Replaced

Arakawa Sayu watched the second performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sakai Performing Arts Center in Japan on Jan. 14, 2024. (Ren Zihui/The Epoch Times)
Arakawa Sayu watched the second performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sakai Performing Arts Center in Japan on Jan. 14, 2024. Ren Zihui/The Epoch Times
Ballet dancer Sayu Arakawa was impressed with the technique exhibited by Shen Yun’s artists when she saw them perform at the Sakai Performing Arts Center on Jan. 14.
“The performance was lively and interesting, and it featured the unique high-level techniques of classical Chinese dance. We saw the distinctive art form of Shen Yun, and all of this is irreplaceable and cannot be imitated. That is Shen Yun’s strength,” Ms. Arakawa said.

As a fellow dancer, Ms. Arakawa could relate to the amount of training a dancer must go through before they can step on the stage.

“I can truly feel the tremendous effort that takes place behind the scenes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to effortlessly showcase such high-difficulty techniques. The intensity of their training must be challenging their physical and mental limits,” shared Ms. Arakawa.

Shen Yun’s artists use classical Chinese dance as their vessel to communicate their passion for reviving traditional Chinese culture. Ms. Arakawa was struck by the dedication of Shen Yun’s dancers.

“Perhaps each dancer has a deep connection with the land of China,” she said. “They express a sincere dedication to Chinese cultural traditions.”

Shen Yun’s vocalists use the bel canto technique to sing a text that is close to their hearts. Shen Yun’s digital background projects a translation of the text for audiences who don’t speak Chinese.

“The soprano’s singing was outstanding, and the song included elements of faith. She conveyed her inner feelings to the audience in Japan and around the world. I think it was wonderful,” said Ms. Arakawa.

Japan shares some of the values that were present in traditional Chinese culture.

“The song mentioned waiting for divine salvation in the cycle of reincarnation, which was similar to the beliefs in Japan. There were some similar cultural elements. These messages were clearly conveyed in the dance,” said Ms. Arakawa.

IT Development Company CEO: Traditional Culture Restores Human Dignity

Kanaoka Hideshi, the owner of an IT development company and a member of the Rotary Club, watched Shen Yun's second performance at the Sakai Performing Arts Center in Japan on Jan. 14, 2024. (Fujino Wei/The Epoch Times)
Kanaoka Hideshi, the owner of an IT development company and a member of the Rotary Club, watched Shen Yun's second performance at the Sakai Performing Arts Center in Japan on Jan. 14, 2024. Fujino Wei/The Epoch Times

Hideshi Kanaoka, the CEO of an IT development company and a Rotary Club member, also saw Shen Yun on Jan. 14.

Mr. Kanaoka expressed his support for Shen Yun and his hopes that Shen Yun will one day be able to perform in China.

“This is a tough challenge, very tough, but please continue to persevere. I pray for you. We may not be clear about what we can do, but as a member of the Rotary Club and the Red Cross, and as a Japanese, I will do my best to support you. Please keep up the good work,” said Mr. Kanaoka.

Shen Yun uses dance and music to depict the truth of past and present-day China. Mr. Kanaoka felt that Chinese culture should continue.

“The cultural heritage of China’s 5,000 years is truly amazing. I hope such culture can continue, and I will do my best to support it,” he said.

Reporting by Fujino Wei, Niu Bin, Ren Zihui and Maria Han.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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