Hirokazu Tategata's Danceable LIFE Vol.1

I discovered dance and found my place
Hirokazu Tategata (dancer and choreographer)

In this day and age when so many things are becoming digital, what is the joy of going to the theater? I think it's the "live feeling."
There is a sense of dynamism that can only be experienced on that day, at that time, and in that place. It disappears with each passing moment. It may be possible to record it on video, but it would be difficult to convey the "atmosphere" of that moment.

When it comes to dance, it's a world of physical expression, so as you get older it becomes more difficult to continue dancing in the same style. But that can't be helped. That's why I want people to feel each fleeting, fleeting moment with their eyes, ears, skin, and pores, and I believe that this will remain in the minds of those who watch.
The reason I started dancing wasn't because I wanted to express something or perform on stage. I was introverted since I was a child, and my desire to express myself led me to university to study acting, but I was constantly scolded by my teachers. I couldn't even perform basic lines or act well, and I had completely lost all confidence. Then, a senior student almost forcefully took me to a jazz dance studio, and it was truly an eye-opening experience.
I think that's because dance was a "world without words." I couldn't speak my lines well, but I had a lot of fun expressing myself through dance, and for the first time, I felt like I had found my own value. That's right, I had found "my place."

By the time I graduated from university, I was determined to make dancing my career, but around the age of 25, like most people, I hit a wall. I realized that simply dancing because I loved it wasn't enough. So I went to New York, but I experienced even greater setbacks there. The level was just too different. I could never catch up by taking lessons hard, working many times harder than others, and gradually getting better. I'm naturally stiff, and I started dancing late. To begin with, I'm Japanese, so my bone structure is different, and I felt there were limits to my pursuit of Western dance.

So what does it take for me to be on stage alongside them?

What attracted me was the world of Japanese culture, including Noh, Kabuki and Butoh.

As the ballet term "en dehor" (outward-looking) suggests, the Western world has an image of expansion. In contrast, the Japanese world has an image of stripping away and condensing. It was a world that resonated with me and was very convincing.
Since then, I have been searching for a stoic form of expression that combines "stillness and movement" through independent performances and other styles. Of course, the world of entertainment with singing, dancing, and acting like THE CONVOY is where I started, so I would like to continue pursuing it in the future.

If you have the chance, I'd love to see you at the theater next time!