Traditional Japanese dance presented by American high school students

Cultural News, June 2006

“Gion Ehigasa” was performed by five students of Palos Verdes  High School in the school’s spring dance program. (Cultural News Photo)

     As part of her World Dance theme, Palos Verdes High School dance teacher Ms. Kathleen Mastan decided for the first time to include a traditional Japanese dance in the school’s spring dance program presented on May 19 and 20 on the campus located in Palos Verdes Estates, a coastal suburb in Los Angeles. 

     One of the faculty members, a Japanese classical dance teacher (Bando Hirosuzu), taught five students as part of their senior dance project and selected a traditional number called “Gion Ehigasa.”

     For each lesson, the girls dressed in yukata, or cotton kimonos often worn for practice sessions.  But for the actual program, the dancers wore a more formal kimono and found it to be a wonderful experience. 

    They learned how intricately involved wearing a kimono is with its several layers of undergarments and how long it takes to be dressed--much more than slipping into clothes in one or two minutes. 

    The students also learned that Western dance is much more expressive and creative, whereas Japanese dance tends to be quite controlled and restrictive.   Audience response was very positive, and for many viewers, it was their first time seeing a Japanese dance performance.