Kiyari Kuzushi – Workshop of Traditional Japanese Dance and Hauta Singing

Experience traditional Japanese performing arts firsthand.
The Czech-Japanese Association invites you to a three-hour experiential workshop with Japanese artist Senju Einojo, during which participants will be introduced to traditional Japanese dance as well as hauta singing.

This time, the workshop will focus on Kiyari Kuzushi (木遣りくずし) – a lively and festive song that carries the atmosphere of old Edo.

What is hauta?
Hauta (端唄) is a genre of short traditional Japanese songs that developed mainly during the Edo period. They are usually sung to the accompaniment of the shamisen, and their themes range from everyday life and the seasons to love, humour, and festive occasions.

Over time, hauta also became part of the culture of ozashiki and Japanese hanamachi – districts where geisha and other professional performers of traditional arts worked. Singing is often closely connected with movement: individual songs may be accompanied by stylised gestures and dance choreography that help express their atmosphere and character.

Kiyari Kuzushi – an echo of old Edo
The roots of Kiyari Kuzushi can be traced back to traditional kiyari songs. Originally, these songs helped groups of workers coordinate their movements while transporting heavy logs, stones, and other loads. Over time, kiyari also became associated with celebrations and festivals.

Their more relaxed and musically stylised form later became part of social and artistic life. Kiyari Kuzushi therefore combines the energy of the original rhythmic work songs with the elegance of traditional Japanese dance and music.

What can you expect during the three-hour workshop?
This workshop is not a lecture or simply a demonstration.

Under the guidance of Senju Einojo, participants will gradually become familiar with Kiyari Kuzushi, try its singing style, and learn a simple traditional choreography. You will work with your voice, rhythm, posture, hand movements, and individual gestures.

The aim is not to achieve a professional dance performance, but to experience traditional Japanese art in the way it is actually passed on – through singing, movement, and repetition under the guidance of an experienced Japanese performer.

No previous experience with Japanese dance or singing is required. The workshop is also suitable for complete beginners.

If you attended our previous workshop with Senju Einojo, where we worked with the piece Gion Kouta, this is a great opportunity to add another traditional song to your repertoire and build on the experience you have already gained.

Senju Einojo
is a Japanese performer of traditional performing arts whose work includes nihon buyō – traditional Japanese dance, hauta singing, and shamisen playing. He combines active performance of traditional repertoire with teaching and passing these arts on to others, while also working to introduce traditional Japanese performing arts to audiences outside Japan.

He has already led workshops in the Czech Republic focused on Japanese dance, hauta, and shamisen, and this year he returns to Prague with a new programme.

What should you bring?
If you own a yukata or haori, we recommend bringing it with you. Traditional clothing can help with movement and also adds to the atmosphere of the workshop.

However, a yukata or haori is not required. If you do not have one, comfortable black clothing that allows you to move freely is perfectly sufficient.

We kindly ask all participants to bring clean white socks.

📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
🕠 17:30–20:30
📍 Prague Unitarian Community, Anenská 5, Prague 1
🎟️ CZK 700 / person

Workshop capacity is limited.

This time, we will not just watch Japanese culture. We will sing it and dance it.