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Shubukai

- Overview Founded in 1976 by Fujima Shunojo, Fujima Ryu of Chicago presents educational presentations and cultural arts to audiences throughout the Midwest and the Chicagoland area. As one of three traditional cultural arts programs in Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRMW), it maintains the core traits and principles of Japanese classical dance. In 2016, the group formed its new identity ‘Shubukai’, in celebration of both its 40th anniversary and the inaugural performance of its new grandmaster, Fujima Yoshinojo. In addition to its presentations, the program supports and performs at annual community events. They have also collaborated with AIRMW for exhibitions about their work and activities. Shubukai also holds a number of events including: an annual student recital, Shubukai Spring recital, and the Revitalizing Tradition series. Originally an annual lecture performance series, the ‘Revitalizing’ series now functions as a showcase of 1 or 2 dance pieces that show classical concepts and themes (gender presentation, Kabukai character types, etc.).

-	Founders 1) Fujima Shonojo

Origin Before he established his dance troupe in Chicago, Fujima Shonojo taught in Tokyo, Japan. At 16 years old, he lived at the house of his teacher, Fujima Shusai, as an apprentice under a headmaster. There, he took lessons in Japanese dancing, tea ceremony practices and learned koto music and singing styles from professional musicians. At around 19 years of age, he gained a professional rank and name from his teacher and later obtained a teacher’s license at 21 after performing for his headmaster and other judges.

Move to Chicago Shunojo’s desire to found the dance school in Chicago was due to positive reception that locals showed to Japanese cultural arts-related events, programming and Japanese cultural icons. Part of Shunojo’s decision to settle in Chicago was also based on the impact that Wakayagi Shiyu had as a representative of Japanese culture for her work in teaching students at her own dance school.

Legacy with Shubukai One of Shubukai’s biggest areas of impact are adherence to traditional aesthetics and its method of teaching students. Its signature style of instruction centers around continual learning processes that inspire constant progression and deep exploration of artistic forms.

Prior to the stretching of both the presentational and musical aspects of performances, Shunojo’s style of showcasing Japanese classic dance pushed against many boundaries. The costume patterns its participants used, for example, would not be worn in traditional pieces. Shunojo also would edit a piece to make it more accessible to Western viewers. Joining Tatsu Aoki’s company and collaborating was another way for Shunojo to make more innovative adjustments as well. Working with Aoki allowed them to blend new elements like taiko drumming into their performances.

Throughout his tenure, Shunojo remained resolute to the essence of the aesthetic of the art form, as he was taught. As a result, the showcases that Fujima Ryu of Chicago put on evoked a nostalgic effect by providing a connection point to authentic Japanese culture in contemporary times.

2) Fujima Ikunojo Ikunojo started her artistic journey at a young age, becoming a professional at 16 years old. She goes back to Tokyo fairly often to train with Fujima Shusen and Fujima Shuryu, the children of her teacher, to stay connected with the Japanese set of Fujima schools and their traditional teachings. She has obtained a professional namesake, natori and a teacher’s license. In her tenure with Shubukai, she has been an actively contributing member in both the annual student recitals and community performances by the Shubukai dance troupe for more than 30 years.

3)	Fujima Yoshinojo (a.k.a Rika Lin) While born in Chicago, Yoshinojo began her formal schooling in Japan where she was raised by Japanese parents. As a shin-nisei, a member of the postwar Japanese American diaspora, Rika’s first introduction to Japanese classical dance came at 5 years of age when she was inspired by dancing at a local festival. Later on at 16, she took formal instruction in classical dance in high school. Yoshinojo’s interest in the Fujima school came from her intrigue in the school’s close connection to kabuki and the nuances of the signature Fujima style – known for its intricate dance pieces that favor advanced choreographed.

Currently, Yoshinojo is an interdisciplinary performing artist, choreographer and a a Grandmaster in Fujima style Japanese classical dance. As a grandmaster, she practices the traditional arts and also uses the Ozashiki shamisen. Her active duties include sustaining the school as a traditional dance group and maintaining its ethnic and intergenerational identity to preserve traditional methods. As a professional musician, she has received many notable awards such as the 3Arts Make a Wave award (2017), and has served as an artistic associate curatorial resident with Links Hall in 2017.

-	Ending Summary Shubukai maintains the aesthetic of Japanese classical dance and teaches students etiquette and mannerly behavioral practices. Their focus resides in both maintaining an distinct group identity and a strong community presence as one of the longest lasting community arts programs in Chicago’s ethnic community. The group actively hosts introductory workshops and oversees festivals and events like the Toyoaki Shubukai spring recital.