New York Carnegie Hall Sold Out Ryukyu Dancers Akamine Sisters Perform Special Performance at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo – The world was left breathless by the tranquil beauty. Ryukyuan prayers echoed in the main hall of Zojoji Temple.

[New York’s Carnegie Hall is sold out] Ryukyu dancers Akamine Sisters perform a special performance at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo – their serene beauty took the world’s breath away. Ryukyuan prayers echoing in the Zojoji Temple main hall – ​ Office IKD Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 15, 2025 [New York Carnegie Hall sold out] Ryukyu dancers Akamine Sisters perform a special performance at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo – a serene beauty that took the world’s breath away. Ryukyuan prayers echo in the Zojoji Temple Great Hall — Ryukyuan dancers Natsuko and Maki Akamine, sisters who sold out New York’s Carnegie Hall, will be holding a special performance, “Shimai” (Shimai Dance), at the Zojoji Temple Great Hall. They will be spreading Okinawa’s traditional performing arts from Tokyo to the world. June 2025, Carnegie Hall, New York (Weill Recital) The Ryukyu dancers Akamine Sisters, who sold out the Zojoji Temple Hall, will be holding a Ryukyu dance performance entitled “Shimai – A Dance Weaving 400 Years of History – Ryukyu Prayers Echoing Through Zojoji Temple” at the main hall of Zojoji Temple, the head temple, in Shiba, Minato Ward, Tokyo on Sunday, November 23rd (national holiday), to commemorate the inscription of Zojoji Temple’s three major storehouses on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
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Zojoji Temple’s Three Great Storehouses, Commemorating the UNESCO “Memory of the World” International Registration, Zojoji Temple Main Hall, Ryukyu Dance Performance “Shimai – Shimai -” ” [A silent beauty that took the world by surprise. Ryukyu prayers echo in the Great Hall of Zojoji Temple.] Ryukyu dance is a performing art that developed within Shuri Castle during the time when Okinawa was the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is not simply a beautiful dance; it also plays a role in the government’s role in protecting the small island nation, passing down wisdom for building relationships with other countries and maintaining peace through culture. In 1609, Ryukyu was invaded by the Satsuma Domain, and thereafter continued its own diplomacy between the two powers of Satsuma and China. It is said that when Tokugawa Ieyasu met King Shō Nei at Sunpu Castle, he was deeply impressed by the high level and beauty of Ryukyu’s culture and treated him as a state guest. After that, the Ryukyu Kingdom sent a “Ryukyu Envoy” every time a new Shogun was appointed to the Edo Shogunate. Beginning with the first one in 1634, there are 18 recorded “Edo-nobori” journeys between then and 1850. The envoys, numbering approximately 100, crossed the sea, passing through Satsuma and on to Edo. They stayed in the Satsuma Domain’s Edo residence—in the area of ​​present-day Shiba, Minato Ward, Tokyo. Ryukyu music and dance were then performed during the audience with the shogun. Now, after approximately 400 years, the performance will be held at Zojoji Temple in Shiba, a place associated with the Ryukyu envoys. The Akamine Sisters, modern-day Ryukyu dancers, will present “Ryukyu Dance.” From this place where history lives on, they will once again convey the prayers and pride of the former envoys to the world through their dance. [From Carnegie Hall to Zojoji Temple. Tradition is a shining light for the future] In June 2025, the Akamine Sisters held a solo performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. The performance captivated the sold-out audience and ended with a standing ovation.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/159403/4/159403-4-b89b17c09c9449f117a83ae0b1541796-3900×2600.jpg The Akamine Sisters Captivate the People of New York Following that success, this will be their first special performance since returning to Japan, and they have chosen Tokyo’s sacred ground, Zojoji Temple. A new cultural chapter will begin, connecting Ryukyu, Edo, and the present day. 400 years have passed since the Ryukyu envoys visited Edo. Ryukyu dance is now returning to Zojoji Temple in Shiba, a place of cultural exchange born from that traffic. Zojoji Temple suffered severe damage in the Great Tokyo Air Raid. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. We are reexamining the questions, “What is peace?” and “What does culture protect?” The serenity and each movement of Ryukyu dance are a kind of prayer that calms conflict, soothes the heart, and respects others. This dedication performance is not about recounting past history. It is about passing on the spirit that we who live in the present must weave into the future. Through the tranquil beauty of Ryukyu dance, the Akamine sisters take to the stage at Zojoji Temple to share a “spirit of peace” between people, between regions, and across time. With this wish in mind, the Akamine sisters take to the stage at Zojoji Temple. With prayers for the reconstruction of Shuri Castle Shuri Castle, the origin of Ryukyu dance, embodied the very heart of Ryukyu. The performing arts nurtured there have been passed down to the people as a symbol of the kingdom’s diplomacy, etiquette, and prayer. In the 2019 fire, “what was lost wasn’t a building, but a place of comfort.” As the road to reconstruction continues, we are once again questioning the meaning of this. The “silent beauty” and “power of prayer” that reside in Ryukyu dance are A true continuation of the spirit that Shuri Castle has symbolized. This special performance at Zojoji Temple is imbued with prayer for the reconstruction of Shuri Castle and a determination to pass on culture to the future. A traditional performing art that has been passed down in Okinawa through turbulent times. Learn from the past, live in the present, and pass it on to the future. It is within this cycle that true “cultural revival” lies. Through their dance, the Akamine sisters convey this sentiment from Tokyo to Okinawa and to the world. Akamine Sisters Profile Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/159403/4/159403-4-dbea60ea11b64ec3ae1f4ee191aa57fe-2025×2700.jpg Born in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Natsuko and Maki are sister dancers. At the age of six, they became apprentices to Chikako Maeda, head of the Hachiyo School of Dance. Their unique dance sense and performance skills have earned them acclaim, leading to numerous stage appearances. Both sisters have won top prizes in the classical dance category at the Okinawa Times Traditional Performing Arts Competition. Natsuko also won the Encouragement Award at the 2019 Okinawa Times Arts Awards. Currently based in Tokyo, they are active both
domestically and internationally. [Major Performances] In 2007, she performed in the Ryukyu dance “Snow Clearing” Kumiodori, sponsored by the National Theater Okinawa. In 2013, she appeared in the Ryukyu Dance Appreciation Event “Urizun no Mai” sponsored by the National Theater Okinawa. Main guest at the 2018 Japan Festival CANADA 2019 solo performance “Master’s Dance” at Kioi Hall and the National Theatre Okinawa Small Theatre 2024 Solo Performance “Hensho” Oji Hall (Ginza) 2025 Solo Performance “Shimai” Carnegie Hall (NY) Official Website: akaminesisters.com Erhu (Guest) Jia Pengfang Profile After serving as a soloist with one of China’s leading orchestras, the China Central Folk Orchestra, he came to Japan in 1988. After meeting composer Katsuhisa Hattori, his outstanding tone and expressiveness attracted attention, leading to his active participation in solo concerts both in Japan and abroad, collaborations and albums with renowned musicians, and music for films, commercials, TV shows, and games. His original albums have been released around the world and have received international acclaim, including music awards. He has also published numerous instructional books and repertoire collections through Yamaha, and is dedicated to promoting the erhu. Graduated from the Master’s program at Tokyo University of the Arts.
http://www.jia-pengfang.com Performance Information Performance Title: “Shimai – A Dance Weaving 400 Years of History – Ryukyu Prayers Echoing at Zojoji Temple” Date and Time: Sunday, November 23, 2025 (National Holiday) Doors Open 5:30 PM / Performance Begins 6:00 PM Venue: Zojoji Temple Main Hall (4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo) Cast: Ryukyu Dance: Akamine Sisters, Natsuko Akamine and Maki Akamine Erhu (Guest): Jia Pengfang Jiutai: Takumi Hosokawa, Riichi Kina, Hokuto Ikema, Suzu Ikema Tickets: S Seats 12,000 yen / A Seats 8,000 yen Ticket Pia P Code (537-374) *SS seats (special seats) are limited to crowdfunding supporters Crowdfunding page:
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/847156/view About Crowdfunding To make this performance a reality, the Akamine sisters are currently raising funds through the crowdfunding platform “CAMPFIRE.” The theme is “Zojoji Temple x Ryukyu Dance.” The Akamine sisters’ dance transcends 400 years of history, carrying the spirit of Ryukyu prayer into the future! Ryukyu dance is a culture that has passed down the prayers of people throughout history. The preservation of traditional performing arts requires the efforts and support of many people, including those involved in stage construction, costumes, music, and video recording. This project positions the special performance at Zojoji Temple as a “cultural space supported by everyone,” and has established a system that allows supporters to participate as part of the performance. Supporters will receive rewards such as tickets to the Zojoji Temple performance (SS seats) and the right to watch archived footage. Project page here: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/847156/view This crowdfunding campaign is not simply a financial contribution to the performance, but a new way of “nurturing culture together.” We hope that many people will be involved in this historic production as part of a chain that will connect the beauty and prayerful spirit of Ryukyu dance to the future. Inquiries: office IKD Co., Ltd. Email:
officeikd.tokyo@gmail.com Tel: 03-6411-3961 Performance Office (Weekdays 10:00-17:00) Official website:https://akaminesisters.net Instagram: @akaminesisters
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