Utilizing my experience and connections,
Bringing a new breeze to the Japanese ballet world

In the fall of 2020, a new curtain will rise on Miyako Yoshida's ballet career. He will be appointed artistic director of the dance department of the New National Theater, and will be responsible for leading the New National Theater Ballet Company, which is based at the theater. The New National Theater Ballet Company, which was born in 1997 at the same time as the theater opened, has steadily evolved as Japan's only national ballet company. Yoshida decided to retire as a dancer this year in order to focus on this new mission.

The work of the artistic director of a ballet company is wide-ranging. To develop dancers and to maintain the ballet company's high standards by selecting an attractive repertoire and program. In addition, as the face of the ballet company, we connect with society, improve the environment surrounding ballet, and share the wonders of ballet with as many people as possible. From dancer to artistic director. Even though you are involved in the same ballet business, you will face it from a completely different standpoint than before. However, Yoshida's eyes shine brightly as he talks about his vision.

``In terms of repertoire, I would like to maintain the wonderful repertoire of the New National Theater Ballet, while gradually introducing new pieces.'' Specifically, in addition to all the acts of classics that are the treasures of the troupe (works that dance one story in multiple acts such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella), we will also perform all acts of new works. Ballet and contemporary works. In Japan, full-act performances of classical works are standard, but in fact, many European and American ballet companies, including the Royal Ballet, now perform a combination of new contemporary works and short stories from the 1th century. "Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett, and Christopher Wheeldon are all very active in the UK right now. It would be great if they could make a new work."

In contemporary works, the choreographer reconsiders ballet by incorporating diverse perspectives such as dances other than ballet, contemporary art, information science, and social issues, and uses traditional ballet techniques while choreographing with unique methodologies. The styles vary depending on the work and choreographer, such as works that explore the relationship between movement and sound, works that pursue the visuality of the body, images, and art, and works that have a social or ideological scope, so it can be difficult to understand if you are not used to it. Maybe. However, if you approach it without preconceived notions, you will be surprised and discovered, and your creativity will be stimulated. By introducing contemporary works, ballet companies in Europe and the United States have succeeded in conveying a new appeal of ballet to existing audiences, while at the same time cultivating an audience that had not previously been interested in ballet.

Furthermore, Yoshida believes that the experience of working on new works and approaching ballet from a new perspective has great significance for the growth of dancers. As a top dancer himself, Yoshida has danced under various pressures, and is well aware of the anxieties and joys that dancers face on a daily basis. That's why I have so much love for dancers. ``I think ballet is the ultimate beauty that humans can create.Dancers wear pointe shoes.Because the movements are difficult, they have to change their bodies and practice from a young age.It takes a really long time. But when it blooms on stage, it's beautiful...

Moreover, ballet is a comprehensive art that includes music, costumes, and art. A miraculous beauty that exists in the world for only a few hours, even though it is the crystallization of the bodies and thoughts that many people have spent a long time giving shape to in order to create the best stage. How could you not be moved?

However, no matter how great a stage is, it cannot exist without an audience. That's why Yoshida says she wants everyone to see the ballet at the theater. "If it's your first time, I'd like you to see a full-act classical performance. Once you get to know the dancers, you'll wonder how this dancer would dance in other roles or in other works, even contemporary ones." , I think you will be more interested. ”

We want to establish the New National Theater as the place to go to see ballet. I would also like to train dancers who are popular beyond the ballet world. We would also like to carry out educational programs to nurture future audiences... Yoshida's job will be to lead the New National Theater Ballet and the Japanese ballet world to new horizons.

(Titles omitted)

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→Click here for the new horizon that Miyako Yoshida is looking at (Part 1)

“Yoshida Miyako: Eternal Principal” (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
A memorial book containing messages from Miyako Yoshida, who decided to retire as a ballet dancer, her thoughts on her beloved repertoire, and 35 years of treasured photos.
www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309290423

Miyako Yoshida
Born in Tokyo. She started ballet at the age of nine, won the Prix de Lausanne at the 1983 Lausanne International Ballet Competition, and studied abroad at the Royal Ballet School. He joined Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) in 1984 and was promoted to principal four years later. In 1995, he joined the Royal Ballet as a principal dancer. Until he left in 2010, he starred in numerous stage productions. He has received numerous awards including the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 2017 he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit. He retired from active duty in August 2019. In October, he received the Kikuchi Hiroshi Award for his worldwide contribution to ballet culture and for attracting many fans until his retirement. In 10, he will become the artistic director of the dance department of the New National Theatre.