About

Discover the beauty and delicacy of traditional Japanese Jiutamai dance during an activity led by Mayu Shirai (@mayushiraidance) at Japan Impact. 🌸

Originating from the Furusawa-ryu school and passed down at Himeji Castle, Jiutamai was originally a sacred offering dance dedicated to the gods. Unlike kabuki, Jiutamai favors natural, slow, and subtle movements imbued with serenity. Over time, this dance also developed in the intimacy of tatami rooms, creating a direct and sensitive relationship between the performer and the audience, guided by a silent presence and a shared energy known as “ki.”

Originally from Osaka, Mayu Shirai is a dancer, educator, and founder of the Ikiiki Dance Company. Passionate about passing on traditional Japanese arts, she works to build bridges between cultures and to introduce the richness of Jiutamai through performances that are accessible to everyone. So don’t hesitate to give it a try yourself.