Message from the Board of Directors of Nihon Buyo Kai of California​

After a very hot and protracted summer, the cool autumn months are upon us, and we hope that you are staying warm and comfortable.  The days and months seem to be flying by so quickly; soon, 2025 will be upon us.

Earlier this year, we sadly bid farewell to Aileen Willoughby, one of our founding members, who resigned from the Nihon Buyo Kai Board of Directors due to personal reasons.  We are extremely grateful to her for her leadership, guidance and generosity.

We wish to thank all of our members, supporters, and friends of Nihon Buyo Kai who came out to North Torrance High School for our 2023 fall dance presentation.  We received so many kind and supportive remarks from those in attendance, who expressed their wishes that we continue to present quality classical dance programs.  For our Board members, it truly is a labor of love, and we appreciate the support of the participating dancers from the Azuma, Wakayagi, Sanjo and Bando dance schools.

We would like to update you on our upcoming plans.  This year, we will continue our tradition of presenting on-line videos of previously recorded dances.  As some of you could not attend last year’s fall dance program, we will be presenting these dance videos in two parts.  This will be made available without charge to the viewer, but we certainly will appreciate donations of any amount.  Please scroll down for the links.

In late spring of 2025, we are working on securing a guest artist from Japan who represents a traditional art form integral to Nihon Buyo.  Please recall that in the past, we have invited guest artists specializing in Shamisen, Koken, and Wig styling.  We are planning a demonstration which includes a Nihon Buyo dance, followed by a separate admission for a hands-on workshop.  We continue to work on unique and educational programs to present to our community.