Eiko Hayashiwas born in Fukuoka, Japan, and grew up in Tokyo.
At the age of six, she began her training of Nihon Buyo (dance of Kabuki) at the renowned dance companion and school, Azuma-Ryu (Azuma-school). At the age of 18, she achieved the degree of Natori (master) obtaining the artist name, Shizuka Azuma. In Tokyo, she took part in numerous dance performances on the stage as a member of Azuma-Ryu.
During her study of German and French language and literature at the University of Constance (1992 – 1999), she began to perform Japanese dance related to the traditional Kabuki Theater in Europe. Since then, the idea of combining this Japanese dancing tradition and European music crystallized. Nevertheless, from time to time, the artist still returns to her artistic roots, that is to say the traditional Japanese dance of Kabuki.

 

GUEST PERFORMANCES (Extrakt)

7th and 9th of October 2021  //  CHAKKARs Moving Interventions in the framework of the production „Dance Storytelling in Munich, Part 2: Passions“ at KulturBunt Neuperlach Munich, Storytelling of my Japanese dance and Performance (Kyou-Kanoko Musume Dojoudji as well as Mille Regretz, composed by Josquin des Prez and arranged by Luiz de Naváez in the 16.century).

 

May/June 2019  //  „葵 AOI; «Je est un autre» (I is someone else)“ Resumption - Dance-Music-Poetry by Kabuki-Dance and Piano - in HochX Theater und Live^X in Munich.

September 2018  //  « Fin du temps », Neue Klaviermusik trifft mit japanischen Kabuki Tanz, getanzt sind von H-U. Kreuels „Fin du temps“ für Klavier solo, op.38 No.13, 2. Fassung 1985 (Hommage à Olivier Messiaen) und „Longing to sing with the piano”, im Gasteig, München 
 
May 2018  //  Japanese Festival in the Japanese Garden in Planten un Blomen in Hamburg (organized by the Japanese Consulate in Hamburg), „Ohtsu-E “ (Kabuki dance piece)

March 2018  //  „葵AOI; «Je est un autre» (I is someone else)“ Premiere - Dance-Music-Poetry by Kabuki-Dance and Piano – Culture Center of  Giesinger Bahnhof in Munich.

July 2017  //  „Festival of Nations –Living and celebrating together “, City Garden in Vienna, „Fuji Ondo“ (the Song of Wistaria) - Kabuki dance piece. 

March 2015  //  „生きてゆくこと、、、Go on Living!“ for the 4th anniversary date of the Fukushima Catastrophe, i-camp/neues theater, Munich, „Les yeux clos (cosed eyes)“ composed by T. Takemitsu, accompanied by Piano. 

November 2013  //  Japan Classic: „West-östliche Sehnsüchte“ (occidental-oriental longings), cooperation with violoncello for violoncello Solo suites Nr. 2 BWV 1008  by J. S. Bach, with Piano for Haru no Umi (see in the spring) by M. Miyagi and Litany by T. Takemitsu as well as with piano and violoncello for „Chidori no Kyoku”(Song of plover) by Yoshizawa Kengyo (in the 19 century) and Song of Birds, Catalonian Folksong, arranged by Pablo Casals.

March 2013  //  Quinze jours au Japon, Haguenau, France, „Sagi Musmue“ (White heron – girl), “Hagoromo-Densetsu” (Legend of the heavenly nymph), with live music of  shamisen (Japanese instrument), guitar and drums.

January 2013  //  „Musume Dojoji“ in the State Museum of Ethnology, Munich. New Year celebration of the German-Japanese Society.

September 2012  //  „Mikomignon, Dialog in Spaces“ (interactive performance between Nihon Buyo-Kabuki dance, contemporary dance, monologs und Klavier), directed by Ludger Lamers, supported by the Department of Arts and Culture of Munich, the performing arts and the Bavarian State Association for Contemporary Dance.

April 2012  //  Exposition « L'éventail japonais» (Japanese fans) in the Bibliothec Fonderie de Mulhouse, “Kane no Misaki” (Promontory of the temple bell), “Fuji Ondo” (The song of Wisteria) , with live music of Japanese instruments, Koto, Shamisen and songs

November 2010  //  Festival in Sarzeau (Espace culturel l’Hermine), France, “Kane no Misaki” (Promontory of the temple bell), “Fuji Ondo” (The song of Wisteria) , with live music of Japanese instruments, Koto, Shamisen and songs.

December 2009  //  Japanese embassy in Germany, Berlin, “Genji Monogatari” (The Tale of Prince Genji), collaboration of Nihon Buyo with neo-classic ballet. 

Oktober 2009  //  Festival – Ohayo Japan! 2009 - Wunder (unplugged), Theatre Spinnwerk, Leipzig, “Sagi Musume” (White heron – girl), “Kane no Misaki” (Promontory of the temple bell).

November 2008  //  Hall in « Musée national pour des arts asiatiques – Guimet », Paris. Four pieces of Nihon buyo : “Kane no Misaki” (Promontory of the temple bell), “Fuji Ondo” (The song of Wisteria) etc. with live music of Japanese instruments, Koto, Shamisen and songs.

October 2008  //  “The Nightingale and the Rose” in the Culture festival «Hortus Wander Wunder Kammer», Hall of mirrors in the Resident, Eichstätt/by Munich. This piece, based on the fairy tale of Oscar Wilde, was created by Eiko Hayashi.

September 2008  //  Japanese Embassy in Berlin, Germany. On the occasion of the publication of the Japanese novel Hoyo Kazoku, performance with reading, “Midare” and “Chaconne Nr. 9” composed by Paul Amrod. 

September 2008  //  Tipi – The tent at the chancellery, Berlin, “Haru no Umi”. (Spring sea).

October 2007  //  Japanese Embassy in Berlin, Germany. Japanese dance event with “Fuji Ondo” (wisteria girl), “Haru no Umi” (spring sea), “Partita 2” by J. S. Bach, etc. accompanied by piano.

November 2007  //  Tenri-culture factory, Cologne, Japanese dance evening. “Kane no Misaki” (Promontory of the temple bell) etc. 

March 2007  //  Gasteig, Munich. “Sagi Musume” (White heron – girl) and the “Nightingale and the Rose”. 

September 2006  //  Gasteig, Munich. „Tokyo”, contemporary dance theater, collaboration with contemporary dance, Buto and Nihon buyo.

September 2006  //  Japanese-German Center, Berlin. “Sagi Musum” (White heron – girl), “Mille Regretz” composed by Josquin Desprez- arranged by Luys de Narvaez for vihuela (Spanish guitar) etc. 

August 2005  //  Baroque Castle Heiligenkreuz, Austria. Kaleidoscope, to the baroque music, accompanied by harpsichord. 

September 2005  //  City Hall in Germaring/by Munich. “Sagi Musume” (White heron – girl).

July 2005  //  Japan Festival im English Garden, Munich. „Haru no Umi“ (Spring Sea) etc.

2003 and 2006  //  Festival Bertin-Poirée, Paris. Crossover: Japanese dance and European music. Baroque music pieces such as “Partita 2” by J. S. Bach, Bartók and “Fujimusume” (Wisteria girl) etc.

2003  //  Salvator Hall, Vienna (Austria). Crossover: Japanese dance and European music. Baroque music pieces such as “Partita 2”  by J. S. Bach, Bartók etc. accompanied by harpsichord. 

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WORKSHOPS

21-25 November 2014  //  „Kabuki Dance Training with Eiko Hayashi“, organized by Asian Performing Arts UK in London. 
 
Since 2006  //  „Traditional Japanese Dance – Dance of Kabuki “ in the Volkshochschule in Munich.

October 2009  //  „Traditional Japanese Dance – Dance of Kabuki “ in Leipzig.

November 2008  //  „Traditional Japanese Dance – Dance of Kabuki “ in Berlin.

November 2007  //  „Sakura Sakura“ (Cherry blossoms) in Tenri-Kulturwerkstatt, Cologne.