Michihiko Kakazu, dancer

Headshot of Michihiko

Michihiko Kakazu (dancer) was born in Naha, Okinawa, in 1979, and assumed the position of Artistic Director of the National Theatre Okinawa in 2013. He is a master of Miyagi-ryu School Nori-no-kai Association. Trained under Nozo Miyagi I and Nori Miyagi, he received a master's degree in theater arts from Graduate School of Music Arts, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts. His recent noteworthy performance credits include: Ryukyu Performing Arts South American Tour in 2014; "300th Anniversary of Kumiodori" national tour in 2019; "Kumiodori and Ryukyu Buyo" in Paris also in 2019; and the special performance of "Ryukyu Buyo and Kumiodori" at Shuri Castle presented in 2020 to advocate for the restoration of this UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. While being a member of the Ryukyu Traditional Kumiodori Preservation Association and the Ryukyu Buyo Preservation Association, Kakazu has been active in writing, directing, and presenting new works of kumiodori.  Most recently, his new kumiodori piece, Harushigure, world-premiered at the National Theatre Okinawa in 2020. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Encouragement Award for Theater at the 2010 Okinawa Times Geijutsu Sensho Awards, the Newcomer Award for Dance at the 2018 Matsuo Performing Arts Awards, and the Grand Prize for Theater at the 2019 Okinawa Times Geijutsu Sensho Awards.