Hirokazu Tategata's Danceable LIFE Vol.9

Time to slowly get to know myself
Hirokazu Tategata (Actor, Dancer, Choreographer)

Since March, all performances that I was scheduled to perform in and choreographed have been canceled. We are still feeling our way around the situation of how we will be able to resume our activities, but for now, I would like to take this opportunity to look back on the past three months.

To be honest, the days when I couldn't go anywhere or see anyone were tough. But if I just kept thinking about that, I would end up feeling negative. So I decided to make good use of the time I was given.

The first thing I did was declutter!

I've been so busy that I've been ignoring things, but I've been cleaning up a lot of stuff in a hurry. I also found some nostalgic photos, so I'd like to share them with you.

This was one of the early days of my independent solo performances. I borrowed a black tent studio in Kagurazaka and performed a solo dance based on the theme of "The Nighthawk Star" (written by Kenji Miyazawa).

I also found a lot of nostalgic things, such as videos of plays I had performed in and work documents, but I decided to get rid of anything that I no longer needed.

When you stop moving while everyone around you is busy, you tend to feel guilty about being lazy, but this time, time has stopped for people all over the world... I would like to express my sincere respect to those who are working hard in difficult situations. On the other hand, I feel that it is precisely because of these times that I have had the time to really reflect on myself. It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I feel purified and lighter, so I think I can start walking towards the next step with a renewed feeling.

Another initiative we undertook was remote teaching.
I have been teaching at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music for five years now, and this year's classes have started remotely.
I managed to get through the first week of guidance. The problem was the practical training that started in the second week. I usually tell my students to "use your body widely" and "move around widely," but it's difficult to do this in your living room. I'm managing to get by by borrowing a friend's studio or opening up part of the campus, but some of my students have poor Wi-Fi or take classes in a room in their apartment, so it's a pretty tough situation. This situation can't be said to be "just for now," so I think I need to switch my mindset and think about how to do lessons online.

Of course, there is a certain atmosphere that cannot be conveyed through a camera, a certain "heat" and "vibration" that can only be felt live. I believe that the appeal of performing arts is sharing the same space and feeling the clash of energy.

What do you want to do most right now? I guess it's to meet up with close friends, eat delicious food, and drink delicious wine (laughs). Even though I've just been at home alone, I feel a strange tension and I feel like I'm accumulating stress without realizing it. I just want to relax, so I'd like to go to a hot spring (laughs).

In that sense, I'm starting to miss the atmosphere of the rehearsal room.
The first step in my resumption of activities will be the opening of "Super Myth Musical Dramatic Kojiki 2020" at the end of July. It is a revival of the work that was staged in 2013, and I will be playing Amaterasu again this time. Rehearsals are scheduled to start in July, so I am really looking forward to it.
I hope to be able to slowly start moving again, while taking measures to avoid the three Cs.