Sumi Hanayagi

Japanese: 花柳寿美 - はなやぎすみ

Dancer. (1) First Generation (1898-1947, Meiji 31-Showa 22). Her real name was Ohashi Isamu. She was born in Gifu Prefecture. She became a disciple of a Nishikawa-ryu master at a young age. After moving to Tokyo at the end of the Meiji period, she became a registered geisha in Shinbashi. She became a student of the second Hanayagi Jusuke and was allowed to use the name Hanayagi Juyu. In 1923, she left her geisha status to become a dancer, and in 1925 she changed her name to Sumi. The following year, she founded the Akebono-kai dance group and became a star of the new dance movement. She presented many works, including Flame of Oshichi and Yoshida Palace. She was known for her spectacular stage productions, which included the use of orchestras, pieces aimed at Japanese ballet, and costumes with a new sensibility.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

舞踊家。(1)初世(1898‐1947∥明治31‐昭和22)　本名大橋勇。岐阜県生れ。幼時西川流の師匠に入門。明治末年上京後，新橋に妓籍をおく。2世花柳寿輔門下となり，花柳寿勇の名を許される。1923年舞踊家を志して妓籍を離れ，25年寿美と改名。翌26年〈曙会〉を興し，新舞踊運動のスターとして活躍した。《火炎のお七》《吉田御殿》をはじめ発表作品多数。オーケストラを用い，日本バレエをめざした作品や，新感覚による衣装などで，絢爛（けんらん）たる舞台に特色を発揮した。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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