Starting Classical Ballet

I was born in Kitami and lived there until I was 18, attending elementary, middle, and high school.
I started dancing when I was three years old. There was a ballet class on the top floor of one of the few department stores in town, and apparently, when I saw it at the age of three, I said I wanted to join, although I don’t remember saying that. It was classical ballet.

Choosing Between Nursing and Dance

Because of my family's influence, I vaguely thought I would go into nursing or something similar when I was young. It’s like I was narrowing down my options on my own. So, when it came time to choose a path after high school, I was considering going into nursing or physical therapy. I visited schools related to those fields, but when I happened to visit Hokkaido University of Education in Ainosato, I liked the atmosphere. Although it wasn’t related to healthcare but rather education, I remembered how I used to go to the nurse’s office about three times a week as a kid, and I thought, “Maybe I can do this,” and started considering becoming a school nurse instead of pursuing dance. In college, I joined a Yosakoi dance club. While I was complimented on my movements, something didn’t feel right. I started to feel doubts within myself. Maybe it’s because I had never danced in a group before, so I didn’t really get the importance of synchronization in Yosakoi, or maybe it’s just that I wanted to dance more. I began to feel unsatisfied.

The Path of Dance

In my third year of college, around the age of 20, I went to see a dance performance by Mirai Moriyama. It was an amazing show, with only three dancers on stage, and one of the choreographers was from Hokkaido. He held a workshop in Sapporo, and I decided to attend, which became the turning point for me to fully commit to the path of dance. It was the kind of dance I had always wanted to do back when I lived in Kitami. So, I thought, “I want to give this my all.” I was very driven at that time. I didn’t worry about the future; I just believed that somehow, things would work out. Whether it was preparing for the next performance or doing some teaching on the side while working part-time, I thought it would be easy to continue what I was doing. I actually feel more anxious now than I did back then.

A Sense of Rebellion

When I first started dancing again at 20, other dancers and choreographers I met would tell me things like, “When will you go to Tokyo if not now?” or “You’re already starting late; you’ll fall behind.” But when they said that, I thought, “Why?” I knew I could rely on myself and stay in Sapporo. With a cell phone, you have all the information that you’ll ever need, and I didn’t feel the need to go to Tokyo just like everyone else. I had this strange rebellious spirit, thinking, “Everyone’s going to Tokyo, so I’m going to stay here.” Looking back, I’m glad I made that choice. I also understand now that in Sapporo, there aren’t many dancers to collaborate with. In Tokyo, there are dancers my age, and I can see how that would be stimulating. It’s only in the last two years or so that I’ve started to think maybe I could benefit from being in Tokyo.

The Coziness of Sapporo

If someone asked me if I want to be a dancer for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t say that’s my goal. I really enjoy teaching, but to teach, I feel like I need to have a wider range in knowledge, and I need to keep updating myself constantly. As I continue teaching, I've had the privilege of being part of many students' journeys as dancers, and I feel that everything, including my goals for the classes, is steadily evolving. Right now, I'm focusing on taking small, meaningful steps forward.
Living in Hokkaido gives me a sense of openness and space, which I find really helpful when creating something. There’s a sense that even though we’re strangers, it’s easier to connect with them, as if we’re just knocking on neighbors door. Maybe it’s just that I get attached to places easily, but I’ve noticed that the dance studios I visit almost feels like home. Even when I go to teach, I feel a sense of family, and I really like that feeling. I’m hoping this cozy feeling grows. Within that space, I want to keep reflecting on what I can contribute and pass on, doing my part for the community.