Traditional dancer

Dancer, actor and teacher Hanayagi sensei in his studio in Tokyo in summer 2007. All images are taken in natural light coming from a big windows behind him, taking the whole room side and filtered by the shoji, outside was very sunny and very hot. I left some neon light on the ceiling on to soften the shadows but keep the natural back light feeling.

Here Hanayagi sensei is performing a traditional dance with a fan, wearing a very formal outfit, black silk kimono called montsuki and hakama, a kind of wide pants. The small decoration on the chest and sleeves are called kamon, is the family crest. (originally posted on the 25th of October 2007)