Dances for Children
Urashima Taro

1997

The Fisherman and the Tortoise   

    

Choreography: Saeko Ichinohe

BigFish

 

 

 Jeff Moen & 

Shih-Ling Hsu 

Photo:  Nan Melville©

 

 

 

A popular Japanese fairy tale about a young kind-hearted fisherman, Taro, who saves a tortoise and is invited to the under-water castle, Ryugu-jo.

NewOctopus

 

 

 

 

 

   "The tenacles of the Octopus float in the ocean"

   Haruno Yoshida

   Photo: Nan Melville©

Ms. Ichinohe's choreography for the lovers' duet was fascinating in its use of slowly cantilevering planes that suggested the weight and density of water.

- New York Times

 
Goza

1977

Choreography: Saeko Ichinohe

Goza4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stacy Williamson, Jeff Moen, Yukie Okuyama, Shiho Miyazawa

Photo: Nan Melville© 

 

Goza are lightweight braided straw mats which the Japanese use at picnics and gatherings. The dance reflects the high-spirited merrymaking of these occasions.


 
Dosojin

1992

Choreography: Saeko Ichinohe

Dosojin

  

  Jeff Moen & Masako Yokoyama

  Costumes: S. Horishige, traditional.

  Photo: Nan Melville©

 

 

A day in a village in Japan where a Dosojin stands. A Dosojin is a carved-stone roadside deity who protects travelers and passers-by while watching the comings and goings of the rural villagers from his vantage point.