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Ichinosuke Umekawa performing Japanese classical dance in traditional costume Ichinosuke Umekawa signature calligraphy in white

Ichinosuke
Umekawa
Classical
Japanese
Dancer

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

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Introduction Video

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October 7, 2025

Special Demonstration for Students

A special educational demonstration featuring Ichinosuke Umekawa showcasing the beauty and techniques of Japanese classical dance to students at Occidental College. This interactive presentation provides students with a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese arts firsthand, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation for classical dance forms.

Date: October 7, 2025

Venue: Thorne Hall, Occidental College

Ichinosuke Umekawa performing special Japanese classical dance demonstration for students at Occidental College Thorne Hall

October 9, 2025

Demonstration & Workshop: Ichinosuke Umekawa: A Revolution in Movement

Ichinosuke Umekawa is a renowned Japanese classical dancer, or buyoka, whose background in both ballet and kabuki allows him to explore new possibilities in Japanese dance, or buyo. He brings a highly refined and modern approach to classical dance that preserves Japanese tradition while also incorporating contemporary expression and a global perspective. For his second visit to the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (the first was in 2019), Umekawa will perform three dances (including one with a yokai subject related to the ongoing exhibition "YOKAI PARADE: Supernatural Monsters from Japan") and then lead an introductory buyo workshop.

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Time: 7:00-8:30PM

Venue: Japan Foundation Los Angeles

Admission: FREE, RSVP REQUESTED

Note: The Traditional and Innovative World of Dance

Ichinosuke Umekawa Revolution in Movement workshop at Japan Foundation Los Angeles

October 11, 2025

An Afternoon of Japanese Classical Dance at JAPAN HOUSE

Step into the dreamlike world of buyo (Japanese classical dance), a spellbinding art form that uses subtle, flowing gestures to express everything from falling cherry blossoms to a lover's yearning. For one special afternoon, renowned dancer Ichinosuke Umekawa brings this rarely-seen art to Hollywood in an intimate performance that bridges centuries-old tradition with contemporary innovation. This event opens with Dr. Satoko Shimazaki of UCLA providing an introduction to the history and development of kabuki and Japanese classical dance. Umekawa will then give two distinct performances: one rooted in classical dance and the other exploring modern themes, followed by a Q&A session.

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Venue: JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5, Hollywood

Fee: $10 (includes taxes)

Partner: The Yanai Initiative for Globalizing Japanese Humanities at UCLA

Ichinosuke Umekawa Japanese classical dance performance at JAPAN HOUSE Hollywood

October 12, 2025

Japanese Garden Performance - About Ichinosuke Umekawa

Ichinosuke Umekawa was born in Hita City, Oita Prefecture and graduated from Niigata University. He began his dance career with the Tokyo Ballet and as a Kabuki actor before deciding in 2016 to focus on classical Japanese dance (Nihon buyō) as his primary art form. He studied under Living National Treasure Tamasaburō Bandō, who gave him his dance name Ichinosuke Umekawa. In addition to performing buyō throughout Japan and internationally, he collaborates with many artists to blend Japanese dance with poetry, haiku, orchestral music, animation, and other artistic genres. Recently, he has been performing as a partner to Tamasaburō Bandō in his acclaimed Talk and Su-odori stage series. He currently appears in the in-flight landing video shown on all Japan Airlines (JAL) flights.

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Tickets: $20 per person, children 10 and under FREE

Note: Seats are limited and reservations are required

Website: www.umekawaichinosuke.jp

Ichinosuke Umekawa performing at Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

October 18, 2025

CoPA Collaborative Featuring Ichinosuke Umekawa

A special collaborative performance featuring Ichinosuke Umekawa alongside renowned artists Marc Callahan (baritone), Nick Gabriel (actor), Stephanie Liapis & Co. (dance), Yoshi Masuda (cello), and Clara Cheng (piano). This unique cultural fusion brings together East and West through the art of Japanese classical dance.

Venue: Sandi Simon Center for Dance, Chapman University

Time: Saturday, October 18th @ 4pm

Ichinosuke Umekawa CoPA Collaborative Performance at Chapman University Sandi Simon Center for Dance

Previous Performances

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 featured in Japan Airlines JAL in-flight disembarkation video

JAL In-Flight Disembarkation Video

2024 Japan Airlines All Routes Worldwide
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
Ichinosuke Umekawa Garden Performance at Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Ichinosuke Umekawa Garden Performance

2025 Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden USA
Ichinosuke Umekawa Nihon Buyo traditional Japanese classical dance performance at National Theatre

Nihon Buyo (Japanese Classical Dance)
– Curated Showcase

Fall 2024 National Theatre Special Appearances Throughout Japan

Japanese 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 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

2005

Tokyo Ballet Company

Performed in numerous works including Maurice Béjart's 'Bolero' and 'Greek Dances', as well as classical pieces such as 'Swan Lake', 'Giselle', and 'Sleeping Beauty'. After completing overseas performances in 2006, his longing for his homeland Japan grew stronger, leading to his resignation from the company that same year.

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'.

2016

Transition from Kabuki Actor to Japanese Classical Dancer

He transitioned from performing as a kabuki actor to establishing himself as a Japanese classical dancer. Beyond classical works, he has created numerous collaborative pieces incorporating fashion, technology, classical and folk music, local cultures and people, and picture book fusion works for children. He has also pioneered innovative performances on water stages, with fireworks, on beaches, and at shrines, temples, and art museums, establishing himself as an innovative dancer.

2025

Performance with Bando Tamasaburo

On September 7, 2025, he appeared at the Edogawa City Cultural Center Grand Hall in Tokyo in Bando Tamasaburo: Talk and Suodori (Pure Dance). Sharing the stage with Living National Treasure Bando Tamasaburo, Umekawa Ichinosuke presented classical dance in its most distilled form, accompanied by insightful discussion that illuminated the traditions and philosophy behind the art. The performance highlighted not only the refined beauty of Japanese dance, but also Ichinosuke's role in carrying the legacy of kabuki and classical dance into the present day.

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 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.