KYOTO, Japan—Kyoto celebrated the New Year by welcoming Shen Yun’s week-long performance at the ROHM Theatre Kyoto, running from December 30 to January 5. Shen Yun’s portrayal of traditional Chinese culture deeply resonated with the audience in Japan’s historic city.
Hitomi Sakurano, a dancer with OSK Japan Opera Company, which boasts a legacy of over 100 years. She shared her deep admiration for Shen Yun’s performers and their extraordinary dedication to the “pursuit of perfection” in their dance.
“The way even their hand are perfectly synchronized shows just how much time and effort they’ve put into practicing and refining their skills. I can really feel the Shen Yun dancers’ incredible dedication to their craft,” said Ms. Sakurano.
“This really moved me. You can see the confidence and pride the Shen Yun dancers have in their art, and there’s a real inner strength that lets them fully dedicate themselves to every performance,” said Ms. Sakurano.
She was deeply moved by the cultivation culture showcased in the Shen Yun performance. She found the story of a general turning to Buddhism especially powerful.
“That story is very similar to Buddhist practices in Japan. I could really feel the shared traditions between China and Japan,” said Ms. Sakurano.
Her younger sister, Okuda, said, “Each program felt like a short, captivating story—both entertaining and emotional. It conveyed such a wide range of feelings, making for a truly moving and enjoyable experience. The whole show lasted over two hours, but it flew by in what felt like no time at all. I had an absolutely wonderful time.”
Okuda observed that classical Chinese dance is incredibly expressive. Even without words, the emotions and narrative come through clearly.
“I feel so lucky to have experienced such a beautiful performance at the start of the new year. As someone who is also involved in the arts, I’m excited for the year ahead and the opportunity to be part of creating even more amazing work,” she said.
Japanese Inventor Envisions Bright Future and Major Changes in 2025
“I’m so glad I finally got to see the show.” Japanese inventor Yasukiyo Ueda said after attending Shen Yun with his wife.
“I’ve known about Shen Yun for a long time, and I’ve always wanted to see the performance. When I heard it was coming to Japan, I knew this was my chance, so I immediately booked my tickets,” said Mr. Ueda.
“The level of performance is remarkable. What really amazed me was their incredible jumping ability. In gymnastics, athletes use a springboard to achieve such height, but Shen Yun dancers jump so high on a solid stage—it almost seems impossible for a human to do,” Mr. Ueda said.
Ueda is a Japanese inventor and co-holds multiple patents, including those for a gas separation control device, power isolation systems, and battery-powered control devices. His innovations have been integrated into various home appliances by Panasonic.
“It’s truly an incredible masterpiece. The way the dynamic backdrop perfectly integrates with the stage performance is remarkable. I was amazed at how precisely the characters ‘jumped’ into the background—it’s almost impossible to replicate. It’s truly stunning and adds a unique, captivating element to the show,” he said.
“The tenor’s voice was incredibly powerful, and the lyrics conveyed a deep, thought-provoking message,” said Mr. Ueda.
Celebrating the New Year with Shen Yun gave Mr. Ueda a feeling of starting anew.
“The lyrics made me feel like the world is about to begin a beautiful new chapter. It feels especially relevant as we start 2025—I truly believe this year will bring major changes. I believe the communist regime is coming to an end,” he said.
