Traditional Japanese Shippo Pattern Decoration Traditional Japanese Shippo Pattern Decoration
Traditional Japanese Shippo pattern background with elegant cultural design elements for Japanese classical dance
Ichinosuke Umekawa performing Japanese classical dance in traditional red kimono costume, UNESCO Cultural Ambassador Ichinosuke Umekawa signature calligraphy in white

Ichinosuke
Umekawa
Japanese
Classical
Dancer

Connecting people and cultures by preserving traditions and sharing their timeless beauty

View Performances

Introduction Video

Previous Performances

Ichinosuke Umekawa featured in Japan Airlines JAL in-flight disembarkation video

JAL In-Flight Disembarkation Video

2024 Japan Airlines All Routes Worldwide
Bando Tamasaburo: Talk Show

Tradition Meets Modern Dance: Nationwide Tour

2025 Kan'gien Japan
Ichinosuke Umekawa An Afternoon of Japanese Classical Dance at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

Ichinosuke Umekawa | An Afternoon of Japanese Classical Dance

2025 JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles,USA
A Revolution in Movement The Traditional and Innovative World of Dance at Japan Foundation Los Angeles

A REVOLUTION IN MOVEMENT
THE TRADITIONAL AND
INNOVATIVE WORLD OF DANCE

2025 JAPAN FOUNDATION Los Angeles,USA
Ichinosuke Umekawa Garden Performance

Ichinosuke Umekawa |
Garden Performance

2025 Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden Los Angeles,USA
Ichinosuke Umekawa performing at Japan Self-Defense Forces 70th Anniversary Reception in Los Angeles

Japan Self-Defense Forces
70th Anniversary Reception

2024 Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles Los Angeles, USA
Nihon Buyo (Japanese Classical Dance) – Curated Showcase

Tradition Meets Modern Dance
: Nationwide Tour

2025 Patria Hita Small Hall Oita Prefecture. Japan
Ichinosuke Umekawa Special Dance Performance

Ichinosuke Umekawa Special Dance Performance

2025 Otome-za Hiroshima Prefecture. Japan

Japanese Classical Dance Performance

Co-hosted by JAPAN HOUSE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan) and the Yanai Initiative

Venue: JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

From left: Elizabeth Leicester, Deputy Director, Yanai Initiative; Satoko Shimazaki, Associate Professor, UCLA; Yukiyasu Murota, Consul General, Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles; Yuko Kaifu, Director, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles; Michael Emmerich, Director, Yanai Initiative.

Demonstration and Workshop

Los Angeles

The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles

Center: Yasuko Uchida, Director, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (Japanese Cultural Center).

Japanese Classical Dance Performance

The Japanese Garden, Los Angeles

About Ichinosuke Umekawa

Through Japanese dance, Ichinosuke Umekawa has pioneered unprecedented paths, connecting with children, people with disabilities, and international audiences without distinction, fostering mutual understanding and respect through Japanese culture.

"Connecting people and culture, preserving and passing on the old—this is the beauty that transcends time and continues to live." These words guide his daily activities as he bridges tradition and innovation.

Portrait of Ichinosuke Umekawa, master of Japanese classical dance and UNESCO Cultural Ambassador

Biography

2007

Three-Year Kabuki Actor Training Program at National Theatre

During training, he studied traditional Japanese arts including kabuki performance techniques, tachimawari (stage fighting), nagauta (long songs), shamisen, gidayu (narrative music), taiko drums, tsuzumi drums, koto music, and tea ceremony. During his training period, he met Living National Treasure Bando Tamasaburo, who would later have a profound influence on his career.

2010

Nakamura Shido's Family

After graduating from the training program, he joined Nakamura Shido's family. Under the stage name Nakamura Shijiro, he made his debut at the old Kabukiza Theatre (before reconstruction) in the role of Shinzo in 'Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura'. He performed in numerous works including 'Akoya', 'Kanadehon Chushingura', 'Shinobi Yoru Koi Zutsumi Shogun', and 'Arashi no Yoru ni'.

2025

Special Demonstration for Students

A unique educational program featured Ichinosuke Umekawa, who showcased the beauty and techniques of traditional Japanese classical dance. The presentation, held at Thorne Hall, Occidental College, offered students an opportunity to experience and appreciate classical Japanese dance, deepening their understanding of this cultural tradition.

2025

Demonstration & Workshop: A Revolution in Movement

At The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, Ichinosuke presented three short works—one inspired by yokai from the “YOKAI PARADE” exhibition—and led an introductory workshop that opened the fundamentals of Nihon Buyo to first‑time learners. The concise program connected classical form with contemporary audiences.

2025

An Afternoon of Japanese Classical Dance at JAPAN HOUSE

An intimate showcase at JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5, Hollywood paired a clear, engaging introduction to kabuki and classical dance by Dr. Satoko Shimazaki (UCLA) with two contrasting performances by Ichinosuke—one rooted in tradition and one exploring modern sensibilities—and was followed by a Q&A.

2025

Japanese Garden Performance — Storrier Stearns

It was a twilight program at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, a historic Japanese garden setting. Ichinosuke performed works that highlighted the sensitivity and clarity of Nihon Buyo, which brought audiences closer to the aesthetics and rhythm of traditional Japanese movement.

2025

CoPA Collaborative Featuring Ichinosuke Umekawa

It was a cross‑disciplinary collaboration with vocal, theatre, dance, cello, and piano artists at the Sandi Simon Center for Dance, Chapman University. The program wove Japanese classical dance into a broader stage language, revealing fresh textures in movement and music.

2022-Present(Dance) ▸
2016-2021(Dance) ▸
Kabuki Actor ▸
Tokyo Ballet ▸

Philosophy

伝

Preservation and Development of Traditional Culture

Preserving the essence of artistic traditions while introducing the beauty of Japanese dance to new generations through innovative works and collaborations.

繋

Community Engagement

Breathing new life into local history, traditional songs, haiku, and regional dances through Japanese dance. Inspiring communities with workshops for children and motivational talks about pursuing dreams.

極

International Exchange and Overseas Performances

Since 2017, expanding international reach with over 30 cultural exchanges and performances a year through invitations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies worldwide.

Gallery & Highlights

Ichinosuke Umekawa performing Japanese classical dance in traditional kimono
Ichinosuke Umekawa elegant pose in traditional Japanese dance costume
Ichinosuke Umekawa showcasing Japanese classical dance technique

Building Cultural Bridges Through Dance

Through Japanese dance, we build bridges that span cultures, generations, and communities. Each performance connects hearts and fosters understanding between diverse groups around the world.

From children's workshops to international stages, from ancient temples to modern venues—every encounter plants seeds of cultural appreciation that take root and flourish across continents.

10+ Countries Reached SO FAR
1,000,000+ Lives Touched
Countless Connections MADE
Ichinosuke Umekawa building cultural bridges through Japanese classical dance performance

Contact Us

We are happy to hear from you. Please fill out the form below and let us know how we can help you with performances, workshops, private events, and cultural collaborations.

Email: umekawa.office@gmail.com
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Response Time: Within 2 business days

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Official Partner

Carrying Japan's traditional culture into the future
and sharing its beauty with the world.

Inspired by the possibilities opened by Ichinosuke Umekawa and moved to contribute to society, our partner embraces the responsibility of stewarding Japanese culture. We are honored to introduce our Official Partner.

SHIBATA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

Profile

Ichinosuke Umekawa official profile portrait, master Japanese classical dancer and cultural ambassador

Ichinosuke Umekawa

Building Cultural Bridges with Traditional Japanese Classical Dance

ICHINOSUKE　UMEKAWA

Date of birth January 7, 1983
Height 182cm
Birthplace Hita City, Oita Prefecture

Born in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, creative dancer Ichinosuke Umekawa transitioned to the world of Japanese traditional dance in 2016 after a rich career as a member of the Tokyo Ballet Company and as a Kabuki actor. Studying under Living National Treasure Tamasaburo Bando, he is now active as a pioneer promoting traditional Japanese dance to the world.

His stage productions are diverse, ranging from classical forms to modern art, collaborations with orchestras, and projection mapping, and he has been involved in several international collaborations. He successfully organized national commemorative performances in Greece and Finland, several cultural exchange events in Los Angeles in 2024, and a Japanese dance and Beijing Opera exchange in China in 2025. His activities have made a deep impression on the participants, creating new exchanges while respecting the cultures of each country. And from January 2024, he has brought the beauty of Japan directly to people around the world through his exquisite choreography for the Japan Airlines (JAL) in-flight video.

At home, he is also passionate about contributing to society and has developed activities to support children with disabilities through workshops and lectures at special needs schools. Through the power of culture and inspiration, he is making a positive impact on the community.

Ichinosuke Umekawa is seeking partners to expand the possibilities of cultural exchange by offering new experiences through Japanese dance on the world stage. We look forward to new projects and opportunities for collaboration.

He is connecting people through the power of dance and spreading Japanese beauty around the world.

We invite you to join us in building a world of dance where tradition and modernity merge through UMEKAWA ICHINOSUKE. Please feel free to contact us.