When Kimono Meets Street Dance: Ayano Shinkawa’s Kimono x Dance Project Founding Story

Summary

Ayano Shinkawa (Noa), founder of KIMONO×DANCE PROJECT, shares her journey from university street dance at Waseda to leading a 130-member international performance group. Grounded in the belief that “dance is life,” her work blends personal experience, sustainability, and Japanese tradition by reimagining vintage kimonos for contemporary dance. Through global performances, collaborative leadership, and a growing focus on dancer health, Noa positions dance as both cultural expression and a holistic lifestyle.

Topics Discussed

• Ayano's dance career and the origin of "Noa" name

• KIMONO×DANCE PROJECT concept and activities

• International performances in Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Korea

• Creative process and favorite work "Zankyō Zanka"

• Team management with 130 members

• Dancer health and injury prevention discussion

Key Learnings

1. Dance as Life Philosophy

   • Dance is inseparable from lived experience; personal history directly shapes choreography and expression.

   • Artistic identity evolves through life stages, not just technique.

2. Origins & Identity

   • Noa began dancing through a university street dance club, highlighting non-traditional entry paths into professional dance.

   • Her stage name “Noa” reflects self-redefinition and creative ownership of identity.

3. KIMONO×DANCE PROJECT Concept

   • A performance collective that aims to “bring love to the world through dance.”

   • Blends traditional Japanese culture with modern street and contemporary dance.

4. Sustainability Through Costume Design

   • Uses upcycled vintage kimonos, merging environmental responsibility with cultural preservation.

   • Costumes are redesigned to support dynamic movement while highlighting fabric flow and visual impact.

5. Diversity of the Team

   • 130 members across genres: locking, jazz, house, ballet, and Japanese traditional dance.

   • Artistic strength comes from embracing stylistic and personal diversity.

6. International Performances & Growth

   • Performed in France, Spain, Italy, and South Korea.

   • Paris Expo (5,000+ audience) marked a major milestone, reinforcing the global appeal of Japanese dance culture.

   • Overseas success motivated more members to challenge themselves internationally.

7. Creative Process

   • Choreography begins with intuitive movement, then integrates research and thematic structure.

   • Signature work “Zankyō Zanka” (Demon Slayer theme) exemplifies visual storytelling through black tomesode, bold collars, and dramatic obi design.

8. Leadership & Team Management

   • Managing a large, diverse group requires dialogue, empathy, and flexibility.

   • Effective leadership means understanding individual strengths and navigating differing perspectives.

   • Collaboration with external designers and specialists enhances artistic quality.

9. Dancer Health & Injury Prevention

   • Many dancers lack foundational knowledge of body care.

   • Noa draws from her handball background to emphasize training balance, nutrition, and prevention.

   • Building partnerships with athletic and medical professionals is key to sustaining dancers long-term.