Classes

ISHIKAWA, Yoshie(1911-2006)

Born in Sanbongi, Higashi-Tsugaru County (now Aomori City), ISHIKAWA Yoshie started learning Tsugaru Teodori Hand Dance under AKIBA Zenzo in 1926. Inspired by the nature in the mountains where he made his living burning charcoal, he established the "Ishikawa style" of Teodori, incorporating such movements as the characteristic "Kocho no habataki" hand movement; the "Konoha no mai," which expresses the movement of fluttering falling leaves with a fan; and "tachiki no mai," which represents the movement of trees bending in the wind. Since then, he taught many students from children to adults, and many of them are still training younger students.

Kocho: butterfly
habataki: the flap of wings
Konoha: tree leaves
Mai: dancing
Tachiki: tree

MIZUGUCHI, Kachie(1927-2022)

Born in Hirosaki City, MIZUGUCHI Kachie began studying Tsugaru Minyo and Taiko drumming under Goro Wakamiya around 1969. She has played a central role in its activities since the establishment of the Hirosaki Ishikawa School Yamabuki Kai in 1975, supporting their development by performing on the stage as well as helping with background preparation. In August 1985, she participated in the Festival of American Folklife in Washington D.C., part of the bicentennial celebration of the United States, as a Tsugaru Minyo singer. When her grandchild Sanae was an apprentice, she won the Children's Division of the Aomori Prefecture Folk Song Championship.

ISHIKAWA, Makiko(1954-)
General Director

Born in Hirosaki City, ISHIKAWA Makiko began learning Teodori in 1970, and in 1977 she qualified as an instructor of the Ishikawa school and began training a new generation of younger dancers. She has won many outstanding accolades, including in group and individual championships in Aomori Prefecture, as well as the Prime Minister's Award at multiple national competitions. She is highly acclaimed for her innovative direction for group dance choreography while still respecting the dance fundamentals. She also collaborates with opera singers and ballet dancers, and performs creative dances with brass bands and contemporary music, expanding the possibilities of Tsugaru Teodori Dance. Her group has successfully performed Tsugaru Teodori in many foreign countries, introducing Tsugaru Teodori to audiences outside of Japan.