2026 Yuubi: Elegance & Grace of Nihon Buyo (A Breathtaking Celebration of Japanese Dance, Heritage, and Artistic Grace)NEW

Yuubi: Elegance and Grace of Nihon Buyo

We are honored to present Yuubi: Elegance and Grace of Nihon Buyo, a special recital that brings together master artists from Japan and the United States in a rare showcase of Nihon Buyo, a classical Japanese dance form that embodies centuries of cultural heritage through movement, music, and spirit.

We are especially grateful to welcome Madame Bando Hideko, a renowned master of the Bando School and teacher of Bando Hidesomi, who will travel from Japan to perform as an honorary guest artist. Her presence adds a profound layer of tradition and authenticity to this performance, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience a living lineage of Japanese classical dance here in Los Angeles.

Yuubi will also feature 12 distinguished professionals from Japan - experts in stage production, makeup, costume, wig, and onstage assistance - who will collaborate with U.S.-based artists to ensure that every detail on stage reflects the precision, beauty, and spirit of traditional Nihon Buyo.

At the heart of Yuubi is Bando Hidesomi, a distinguished dancer and representative of the Bando-ryu School in Los Angeles. Her lifelong dedication to Nihon Buyo continues the legacy of the Bando family, whose artistic lineage traces back to Kabuki theaters of Edo-period Japan.

Join us for an afternoon where heritage meets the present, and experience the grace, emotion, and timeless beauty of Nihon Buyo live on stage.

Date
Sunday, January 18, 2026

Time
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Location
Aratani Theatre, JACCC
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

Tickets
Tickets are on sale now at JACCC.org.

Program Ads and Personal Greetings
Show your support by placing a program advertisement or a personal greeting/message in the commemorative program booklet. This is a meaningful way to celebrate the artists, honor loved ones, or promote your business while supporting Wa-no-Kai and its mission to preserve and share the art of Nihon Buyo.
Program ad and greeting/message deadline: December 1, 2025.
For questions, contact: marketing@wanokai.org.

Open Letter

Dear friends and supporters,

As we are getting closer to the holiday season, I hope you are doing well.

As Wa no Kai and I go forward with planning the recital, I would like to share the meaning behind the 30th Anniversary Recital.

My heart "Kokoro"
To me, the 30th Anniversary Recital is more than a milestone. The theme for me is "Ongaeshi" - a Japanese word meaning "to give back with gratitude."

It represents my heart of gratitude to each and every one of you who have touched my life in some way. To everyone I have had the privilege to cross paths with. All of you have helped me persevere by supporting me and giving me hope - giving me that extra push of encouragement and the smile of warmth and kindness.

As I celebrate my 30th Anniversary, this marks the beginning and hope for my next journey in Nihon Buyo. Before I start this new journey, I would like to take the time to show my gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout the years. The 30th Anniversary Recital is my way of saying "Arigatogozaimashita" to everyone.

Future Generations
As I mentioned earlier, the 30th Anniversary is the beginning of my new goal - to set a foundation for future generations.

My goal is to connect them to artists in Japan so that, if and when they have the opportunity, they will have supporters who can help them achieve their goals. I also hope to see artists from Japan nurture artists in the U.S., bringing understanding, harmony, and a cultural bridge between the two countries.

Hidden Legacy
Hidden Legacy is a documentary by Ms. Shirley Muramoto, sharing the traditional Japanese cultures that persevered and gave hope to Japanese Americans in camp.

Nihon Buyo and other cultural activities brought joy to those who were watching - even for a moment, they could forget their harsh surroundings. With so little, they created so much: stage props, costumes, and instruments made from what they could find in daily life. Some were even granted special permission to retrieve items from home to continue performing Nihon Buyo.

After watching the documentary and hearing the interviews, I was inspired to do more. It motivated me to strive higher with a bigger purpose. I am blessed with so much - I will not know until I try.
Hidden Legacy link: https://youtu.be/HDqKDexQRSg?si=bfilR9WqYH8oKrUP

The Aratani Theater
Why the Aratani Theater? The theater was built to promote and present Japanese culture. It is the only theater in Los Angeles that has a Shosadai (wooden platform for Kabuki and Nihon Buyo) and Hanamichi (Kabuki runway extending from stage right to the back).

Many teachers, community leaders, and corporations contributed to the development of this important cultural space.

My Oshishosan (teacher) held many recitals here. Although times have changed and there are fewer Nihon Buyo recitals today, I want to bring it back to the Aratani Theater - not just for myself, but for all the teachers and mentors I have looked up to in different fields.

It is a very special theater. There is so much more in my heart that moves me to continue what I do, but words cannot express it all. I hope you will continue to help me preserve this beautiful art and ensure it is passed on to future generations.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please take care, and may the coming of spring bring you joy, happiness, and peace.

With deep gratitude,
Bandō Hidesomi