Revolutionizing Japanese Dance: Nakamura Kazunobu's Innovative Stage Design

Embracing Tradition and Modernity in "Kasane no Irome - Piling up Colors"

The inspiration behind this design stems from the Japanese tradition of layering colors to express nature and emotions. In traditional Japanese women's costumes, layers of cloth in various colors are displayed to signify sacred depth. This concept is also seen in the practice of layering square-shaped paper or cloth, often used in religious settings. Kazunobu's design takes this motif of "overlap" and applies it to a space that changes atmosphere with various colors, creating a visual representation of a woman's life filled with change.

What sets this design apart from others is its innovative approach to modernizing traditional Japanese dance. The stage design, unlike the two-dimensional art of traditional Japanese dance, is three-dimensional, taking full advantage of the entire stage space. The panels, floating in the air around the dancers, cover the sky above the stage, creating a space that strikingly draws light and develops Japanese Dance. This design aims to produce a new interpretation of Japanese Dance, creating a mysterious world that resonates with a modern audience.

The realization of this design was made possible through 3D modeling technology. Each panel was intricately placed around the dancers, as if being blown by the wind, yet calculated to avoid crossing each other or interfering with the dancers' movements. The panels were made of a thin 9mm square steel pipe frame and a double layer of ultra-thin transparent resin threads. This allowed for a moderate amount of light to be received, making the panels appear and disappear, creating a three-dimensional stage art design that resonates with the light.

The design was created with the help of a dedicated team, including Kazunobu Nakamura as the Environment Designer, Egiku Hanayagi as the Producer and Dancer, Etsuko Kawaguchi as the Koto player, and Masao Igarashi from Theaterbrain as the Lighting-designer. The project was produced by Tashibu to Fukushima, with Noriyuki Shirato as the Stage director.

Despite the challenges faced in creating a design that would receive just the right amount of light and not interfere with the dancers' movements, the team was able to overcome these obstacles through numerous experiments and adjustments. The result is a revolutionary installation design that has not only been recognized by the prestigious A' Performing Arts, Stage, Style and Scenery Design Award in 2020 but has also been featured in various mass media outlets and international dance festivals.

With "Kasane no Irome - Piling up Colors," Nakamura Kazunobu has successfully bridged the gap between tradition and modernity, creating a new form of expression for Japanese dance. This design serves as a testament to the limitless potential of integrating digital technology with traditional arts, paving the way for future innovations in the field.