Finale of Yuubi Program at Aratani Theatre: Bando Hidesomo (center left) and Bando Hideko (center right) Cultural News Photo
Wa no Kai Presents
Yuubi: Elegance and Grace of Nihon Buyo
Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Little Tokyo in Los Angeles
Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Step into a world of timeless beauty with Yuubi: Elegance & Grace of Nihon Buyo, a celebration of Japanese classical dance that bridges tradition, artistry, and emotion. This special performance brings together master artists from Japan and the United States in a rare showcase of Nihon Buyo—a dance form that embodies centuries of Japanese cultural heritage through movement, music, and spirit.
At the heart of Yuubi is Bando Hidesomi, a distinguished dancer and representative of the Bando-ryu School in Los Angeles. Her lifelong dedication to the art of Nihon Buyo continues the legacy of the Bando School, whose artistic lineage traces back to the Kabuki theaters of Edo-period Japan.
Experience the beauty and power of Japanese dance live on stage. Get your tickets now for Yuubi: Elegance & Grace of Nihon Buyo and witness as heritage comes alive through movement that speaks to the heart.
From Joel Minamide
President, Wa no Kai
We thank you for attending today’s event, which promises to be a celebration of movement and music that transcends time and space. Each dancer will weave unique stories into their performance with elegant and graceful choreography. In today’s fast-paced AI world, it is the arts that provide us with a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of Japanese culture.
Through “Yuubi,” our dancers will invite you on a journey to do just that – to lose yourself in the visual displays and motions that will unfold before your eyes. To Madame Hidesomi, the performers, their parents, an the experts in theater from Japan is infectious and your energy, inspirational. I would also like to thank and commend my fellow Board Directors and Advisors of Wa no Kai whose energy. Commitment, and hard work provided and the backbone of this project since 2023.
Yuubi Program
Part 1
1. Dance: Fuji
Music: Nagauta Genre
By Bando Hideko
Choreographed by 10th Headmaster Bando Mitsugoro
2.Dance: Hanakurabe
Music: Nagauta Genre
By Saydee Rei Chan, Hinata Lim, Hinoki Stevens, Courtney Mieko Su, Emma Narumi Tanaka
3.Dance: Sakura
Music: Kiyomoto Genre
By Grant Nakano
Choreographed by 10th Headmaster Bando Mitsugoro
4.Dance: Shinhitotsutoya
Music: Nagauta Genre
By Bando Hiromisa, Mitsue Kajikawa, Tamami Nagasawa, Sayumi Nishio, Mieko Romming
5.Dance: Shiokumi
Music: Nagauta Genre
Natori Debut for Stephanie Aki Nakatomi as Bando Hideakiyo
6. Dance: Omatsuti
Music: Kiyomoto Genre
By Bando Hiroharumi as Geisha; Bando Noriyuki as Karami
7.Dance: Fuji Museume
Music: Nagauta Genre
By Sphie Manami Kawakami
(Intermission)
8.Dance: Yutaka
Music: Nagauta Genre
By Bando Hiromisa
9.Dance: Hanafubuki
Music: Yamatogaku Genre
By Sophia Kureha Armstrong, Samantha Kotomi Hata, Lio Itaya, Julia Kirsten, Leia Kazusa Koppers, Miako McGibbony
10.Dance: Yashima Kanjo
Music: Nagauta Genre
Natori Debut for Aly Mayumi Minamide as Bando Hidereimi
11.Dance: Renjishi
Music: Nagauta Genre
Natori Debut for Lauren Minako Parham as Bando Hideshizumi (Father Lion role)
Natori Debut for Konami Masui as Bando Hideyoshina (Cub role)
Ellie Natsumi Kawakami and Kyoka Stevens (Kocho -Butterflies- roles)
12.Dance: Kane no Misaki
Music: Ogiebushi Genre
By Bando Hidesomi
Choreographed by 8th Headmaster Bando Mistugoro
Special Guest Artist: Bando Hideko (Tokyo)
Mistress of Ceremony: Rika Tejima
On Stage Assistants: Bando Inosuke (Tokyo), Bando Noriyuki (Tokyo)
Stage Directors: Yoko Ito
Stage Manager: Naoya Okada (Tokyo)
Lighting Designer: Erika S. Campe
Set Design: Okada Stage Co. Ltd. (Tokyo)
Music Editing: Buyo Sound Kitazawa (Tokyo)
Stage Production: Mellins
Make up: Kanda Mistunaga (Tokyo), Kanda Takanori (Tokyo)
Costume: Schochiku Company, Ltd. (Tokyo)
Wig stylist: Tokutokuya (Tokyo)
Wig maker: Osakaya (Tokyo)
