Renowned classical dance master Ukon Nishikawa showcases his hybrid exercise of Japanese traditions and scientific application

 

Cultural News, January 2008

 

 

From left in front row, Master Ukon Nishikawa, Kazumasa Nishikawa, and Koikikyu Nishikawa; from left in back row, Momoyo Nishikawa, Sonja Haney, Katherine Prenovost, Donna Kimura and Ken Kimura at a rental studio in North Hollywood. (Cultural News Photo)             

 

   It was fifteen years ago at the age of 53 that renowned Japanese classical dance headmaster Ukon Nishikawa of the Nishikawa-ryu school collapsed from a heart attack. The Nishikawa-ryu school is one of the most prestigious Japanese classical dance traditions with a 160-year history, and has 5000 licensed dancers and over 50,000 members nationwide in Japan.

 

    Master Nishikawa had to endure not only his cardiac infraction but also his weakened leg muscles which had resulted from his stay in a hospital.

 

    Walking was his first attempt as an exercise to regain his muscle strength after his heart surgery. But soon Master Nishikawa became bored of it. After being a dancer for near five decades, Master Nishikawa had no interest for movements without music or intention.

 

    Dancing in slow movements was naturally his second choice as an exercise to recover from his heart failure.  

 

   During the last three years, under the supervision of Prof. Kagemoto Yuasa, renowned sport scientist and the dean of the School of Health and Sport Sciences at Chukyo University in Nagoya, Master Nishikawa has created the “NOSS” physical exercise program with his original choreography following the experiences of his rehabilitation.

 

    “In a nursing home in Japan, a senior woman in bed did not react to anything but music and dance,” explains Master Nishikawa. “I am convinced that the essence of Japanese classical dance helps seniors maintain their health.”

 

   NOSS stands for Nihon (Japan) Odori (dance) Sports, and Sciences. The exercise takes only 7 minutes but stimulates enough in three major physical elements: aerobics, muscle movement, and stretching.

 

   In the fiscal 2007 year of Japanese government (April 2007 – March 2008), the NOSS exercise program has been designated as a government project by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for seniors to perpetuate their health.  

 

   On Dec. 5 and 6, Master Nishikawa, his son Kazumasa Nishikawa, Nishikawa-ryu dance instructors Koikikyu Nishikawa and Momoyo Nishikawa came from Nagoya to Los Angeles to demonstrate the odori-physical exercise program NOSS before seniors of the Keiro Japanese retirement home, and actors and dancers in the Hollywood entertainment circle.