Michio Ito

Dancer. Born in Tokyo. Aiming to become a singer, he studied under Tamaki Miura and made his debut in 1911 (Meiji 44) in the Imperial Theatre Opera Company's Shaka. The following year, at the age of 19, he traveled to Europe and enrolled in the Dalcroze Rhythmic Gymnastics School, becoming its first Asian student. He went to London just before World War I and drew attention for his dance adaptation of Yeats' At the Hawk's Well. In 1916, he traveled to the United States, and later ran a dance school in Hollywood. He returned to Japan in 1943 (Showa 18). After World War II, he served as artistic director at the Ernie Pyle Theatre for the occupying forces. His student, Ryuko Maki, continues to carry on his work. He is the eldest brother of set designer Kisaku Ito and director Koreya Senda.

[Masa Ichikawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

舞踊家。東京生まれ。初めは声楽家志望で三浦環(たまき)に師事し、1911年（明治44）帝国劇場歌劇部の『釈迦(しゃか)』で初舞台。翌年19歳で渡欧し、ダルクローズ・リズム体操学校に入学、初の東洋人生徒であった。第一次世界大戦直前にロンドンに渡り、イェーツ作の『鷹(たか)の井戸』を舞踊化し脚光を浴びた。16年渡米、のちにハリウッドで舞踊学校を経営。43年（昭和18）帰国。第二次大戦後は駐留軍のためのアーニーパイル劇場で芸術監督を務めた。門下生の真木竜子が作品を継承している。舞台装置家伊藤熹朔(きさく)、演出家千田是也(これや)の長兄である。

［市川　雅］

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