Kids Web Japan

Japanese dance that originated in kabuki includes many works from the Edo period. Some, like "Kanjincho" and "Chushingura," tell the story of historical figures, and others, most notably "Kyoganoko musume Dojoji," are love stories. Many dances are tales taken from noh dramas, like the "Kotobuki shiki sanba so (Dance to Pray for Peace)."

"Cherry Blossoms"

"Takeda Shingen"

"Miyamoto Musashi"

(Courtesy of Kawafuji Yumika)

Most of the performances held by the Kawafuji school feature original pieces choreographed for specific performers rather than classic kabuki works. Yumika Kawafuji is in her first year of middle school and holds a professional dance diploma from Kawafuji. She has studied a range of pieces, from "Oka (Cherry Blossoms)" and "Hana kurabe (Flower Contest)," dances with feminine gestures that portray sweet, loving young girls, to "Takeda Shingen" and "Miyamoto Musashi," works with masculine gestures that portray historical figures. In 2004 she performed a new work based on the manga Inuyasha. In this respect, Yumika is helping to shape a new trend in Japanese dance that incorporates elements of popular culture and makes dances more accessible and enjoyable.