Stepping Out at Shirahata Dance School
Published: November 22, 2019
1996’s hit movie Shall We Dance launched a craze for ballroom dancing in Japan. That initial boom may have faded somewhat but the health benefits of the waltz, rhumba, and cha cha cha are increasingly in the news as doctors discover yet more about the advantages of exercise via the terpsichorean muse. On a recent afternoon we dropped into the Shirahata Dance School to talk with the teachers and admire the fancy footwork of the students.
A smart, stylish, and perfectly postured staff of instructors were working that afternoon. From left: Mr. Ishida, Ms. Ishida, the eponymous Mr. Shirahata, Ms. Ito and Mr. Ito. The youthful and trim Mr. Shirahata briefly explained the history of the school. “It was established in the year 2000 by a friend who later asked me to take over and manage it. I’ve been running it for around ten years now, I think. We offer a wide variety of classes: group and private, standard, and Latin, beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Group classes have a maximum of ten students, with the teachers take both group and private classes. We have eight instructors at the moment.”
The studio is a surprisingly large room, airy and light. There are changing rooms in one corner and a wall of mirrors. We arrived just as a Latin class was about to begin. The dancers, elegantly turned out in heels and dresses for the ladies, black pants and soft leather Latin dance shoes for the men, cut stylish figures as they limbered up.
Latin instructor Ms. Ito led the group through a series of warm up exercises designed to stretch the neck, back, and ankle muscles. The first section of the class was devoted to practicing the basic steps.
Moving backwards and forwards, the students practiced the hip twisting, weight-shifting steps of Latin dance. After individual movement with Ms. Ito checking their form, the students moved on to pair work, practicing spot turns.
A variety of Latin-inflected music was used, slower for the practice routines and slightly more up tempo as the pairs whirled around the floor in impressive style. Just what attracted them to ballroom dancing? “At the age of 60 I wanted to do something entirely different,” said one very dapper and trim gentleman. “It’s difficult and challenging so I decided to stick with it. I’ve been dancing for 8 years now and will continue as long as I can.” Another lady commented, “The instructors are great here. Also, this is a special place that’s totally outside of my daily life. I can forget everything else while I’m here.”
Ms. Ito pairs up with each student, both male and female, for individual instruction. One lady explained how she had lost weight through dance while another described it as total exercise for the brain and body. One couple said dancing together had reinvigorated their married life as they practiced hard to improve. As Mr. Shirahata explained, the oldest student was 88, while the youngest member of the kids’ class was just five. “In the daytime it’s mainly retired people, while younger students come after work in the evening,” he said.
Instructor Ms. Ito became obsessed with dance as a university student when she joined a dance circle. She went from beginner to professional in a remarkably short time; after many years of the professional lifestyle she and her partner will retire from competition this year to be teachers and demonstration dancers. “I also enjoy the gap between my home life as a mother and my work here as an instructor,” she explains. “I’d always wanted to be a dance teacher, ever since I first discovered dance as a student. I find it deeply satisfying when everything comes together and the students can dance well,” she says.
The social aspect of dancing is also emphasized. There are many events, such as dinner dances where the students and staff perform, to ceremonies like the retirement party for Mr and Ms. Ito at a Koto-ku hotel in December. Competitions are held throughout the year for those who wish to devote more time to dancing. Overseas trips to the UK, Europe and the US are also available to students. As we spoke to Ms. Ito, another instructor whisked a private student around the room in a very accomplished waltz.
Lesson prices are exceptionally reasonable and free trial lessons are available for those interested. The school is open from 12 noon until 9pm or 9:30pm every night, with Sunday as a holiday. Please have a look at the home page for further information. As Ms. Ito notes, “There are far more ladies than gentlemen, so guys are always welcome!”
Located just one-minute walk from Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station on the Hanzomon and Oedo Lines, it’s extremely convenient for both locals and those wishing to dance the evening away.
Ballroom dance is a global phenomenon with dances having originated in Europe, the United States and Latin America. Shirahata Dance School has also seen students from Russia and China. It is a universal language, after all. If you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up your foxtrot, then why not drop in and talk to the professionals. Best foot forward!
Story and some photographs by Stephen Spencer
