SAITAMA, Japan.—Between January 14 and 16, Shen Yun Performing Arts took the stage in Saitama, near Tokyo, where urban life meets natural beauty.
Former jazz dance competition teacher Eiji Iso attended the opening performance of New York-based Shen Yun on January 14, 2025, at Omiya Sonic City. He was deeply impressed by the show.
Shen Yun’s dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.
“Their core strength is amazing. It all starts with a strong foundation—you have to stand firm. We’re always taught to align the neck perfectly with the spine,” Mr. Iso said.
Iso highlighted the distinct qualities of the male and female dancers, saying, “The men are strong and powerful, while the women are graceful and elegant, yet with a strength that lies beneath their elegance.”
As a professional dancer, Iso paid close attention to the details of the movements.
“The way they use their hands and how the women stretch—from one point to the next—is just amazing. They extend with such strong, precise energy in an instant, then effortlessly pull it back with grace,” he said.
Classical Chinese dance is about how an artist has mastered bearing, form, and technique. One particular technique that really impressed Mr. Iso was yuan chang, which are small, quick steps that give the audience the illusion of the dancer floating across the stage.
“While I don’t fully understand all the details of the female dancers’ foot movements, I can still appreciate their technique. I understand how they position and move their feet during turns,” Mr. Iso remarked.
A characteristic that differentiates classical Chinese dance from ballet is that while ballet has beautiful lines, classical Chinese dance is more round. The dancers will move to the right before turning left or stretch upwards before moving downwards.
“Even in their jumps, they start by squatting down, then leap with such lightness. It’s not just about jumping up; it’s about making it look effortless. Watching them was so incredible, it nearly brought me to tears,” Mr. Iso said.
Classical Chinese dance is incredibly expressive. In the Chinese dance stories, Shen Yun’s artists make famous generals, impressive ladies, and magical beings come to life.
“The actors’ expressions are so clear and expressive. It’s truly impressive. They maintain a smile throughout yet still manage to convey sadness so effectively. Their ability to express joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness is spot on,” Mr. Iso expressed.
The costumes seen in Shen Yun are all expertly tailor-made and designed to match the fashion worn throughout the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
“The costumes are beautifully complemented by the lighting. They’re stunning. The artists have done an outstanding job in this aspect. The colors of the costumes look even more vibrant and breathtaking when illuminated by the lights,” Mr. Iso said.
‘Grateful for the Arrival of Shen Yun’s Director on Earth’
Akinobu Umezawa, a Japanese defense official, attended the third performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at Omiya Sonic City in Saitam, on Jan. 16, 2025. (Wei Fujino/The Epoch Times)
On the afternoon of January 16, 2025, Shen Yun Performing Arts held its third and final performance at Omiya Sonic City in Saitama, Japan. The show was completely sold out, once again drawing a full house. To accommodate the enthusiastic demand, the organizers had to open additional seating beyond what was originally reserved.
After watching the performance, a Japanese defense official expressed his gratitude for the arrival of the Shen Yun director to Earth.
“The show made me reflect on the true purpose of life on Earth. This is a performance you absolutely cannot miss,” Mr. Umezawa said.
Shen Yun’s performance is often described as ’soul-stirring,' and Mr. Umezawa felt the same.
“There are few experiences in life that truly stir the soul, but today, I was deeply moved. It was truly breathtaking and deeply emotional,” he shared.
As Shen Yun’s performance begins, the curtain rises, and a majestic scene unfolds. Gods from the heavenly realms descend to Earth with the Creator, heralding the dawn of human civilization. The powerful moment left Mr. Umezawa deeply moved and reflective.
He sighed and said, “The moment the curtain rose, tears began to flow. I can’t even explain why, but in that moment, my heart was deeply shaken and moved.”
Reporting by Jerry Yam and Fujino Wei.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
