Kyō no Kai

“Kyō no Kai” is an organization founded and headed by Kabuki actor Nakamura Gankyō (aka Bandō Hirohichirō). The mission of Kyō no Kai is to teach and promote various aspects of traditional Japanese culture with the emphasis on the performance art of Kabuki.

 

US Kabuki Ken kyu Kai

Non Profit Organization, 501c-3: Established 1998

Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve, embody, and transmit the living spirit of traditional Japanese arts through disciplined practice, cultural integrity, and community connection. We are committed to honoring lineage not as something static, but as something alive, carried forward through study, performance, and teaching. By cultivating technical excellence alongside humility, respect, and care, we create a space where tradition is not merely remembered, but felt, shared, and sustained.

We believe that traditional arts hold the power to connect generations, bridge cultures, and deepen our understanding of what it means to be human. Through rigorous training and sincere collaboration, we seek to foster artists and practitioners who move with intention, listen with attentiveness, and act with responsibility to the past, the present, and the future.

Our work is grounded in dedication, reciprocity, and gratitude for those who came before us. We exist to ensure that these practices continue to breathe, speak, and resonate, not only within their cultural origins, but within the lives of those who approach them with respect and commitment.

Past Sponsorships

2026 Kyō no Kai Yukata Kai: Summer Dance Festival at San Fernando Valley Japanese Community Center

2025 Kyō no Kai Yukata Kai: Summer Dance Festival at East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center

Japanese Distinguished Speakers at CSUSB: Mrs. Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto

2022 Kyō no Kai Hatsu Mai: First Dances of the New Year: Virtual Presentation

2021 Kyō no Kai Hatsu Mai: First Dances of the New Year: Virtual Presentation

2019 Kyō no Kai Yukata Kai: Summer Dance Festival at Little Tokyo Centenary Methodist Church

2018 Shinsei Kai: Rising Stars of Japanese Arts at Aratani Theater Little Tokyo (Los Angeles)

2011 Kyō no Kai: Clash of the Thunder Performance at Cal State University Monterey Bay World Theatre

2009 Kyō no Kai: Performance at Cal State University Monterey Bay World Theatre

2010 - Present Sponsoring UCLA Nikkei Student Union Odori

1998 - Present Sponsoring performances and lecture series on Japanese classical dance

US Kabuki Ken kyu Kai Board Members

 

David Ikegami: President

President: DTI Corporation

President: Little Tokyo Business Association

Linda Ikegami: Treasurer

Former Administrative Manager at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Sheri Kanesaka, ESQ: Secretary

GreenbergTraurig of Counsel

President: Little Tokyo Legacy Foundation

Lecturer: USC Gould School of Law

Rochelle Untalan: Member

Vice President: PA Poon and Son, Real Estate Property Management

Alexander P. Sario, ESQ: Member

Judge: Los Angeles County Superior Court

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka, Artistic Director

Founder of US Kabuki Ken Kyu Kai

Assistant Professor of Japanese and Asian Studies: California State University San Bernardino

Founder and Artistic Director of Bandō Ryū Kyō no Kai

Artistic Director of Yukari Kai Kimekomi Doll Academy

All Images and Content are copyrighted. Permission must be granted for any usage and reproductions.

Powered by Squarespace

I’m so excited for this review by @stagescenela on Perry’s Lion Dance. Kit rocks it as Perry!! This was my revenge to be able to choreograph the first half of this piece followed up by Yuka’s cake walk choreography, and extremely g
I am so extremely proud of @ashleyematthews for her portrayal of Tamate in @eastwestplayers production of “Pacific Overtures” directed by Tim Dang. I had choreographed this dance to highlight the style of kabuki kudoki (lament) scene that
Happy opening @eastwestplayers “Pacific Overtures”! What an amazing adventure this has been!! #eastwestplayers #pacificovertures #musical #littletokyo #sondheim
First preview of @eastwestplayers “Pacific Overtures”. So grateful to have the opportunity to work with these two fantastic artists @yukajamz @tesshistyle Have you gotten your tickets yet? Hurry! Don’t want to miss this opportunity
Students from Kyo no Kai @terasaki.budokan had their first performance for the Terasaki Budokan’s donor night! So proud of them. The class officially started in April but some of them has only been practicing for a few months. Interested in l
After consulting for the wonderful Signature’s “Pacific Overtures” in 2023, I never thought I would have another opportunity to work on this musical again. I’m so excited to be apart of the wonderful team @eastwestplayers and
I cannot be even more proud as I am today! Being the first Bando male from a foreign country to achieve natori under the 9th Bando Mitsugoro, I am proud to introduce the second, third, and fourth foreign male natori of Bando Academy of Japanese Class
Had a wonderful time at the 81st @niseiweek Closing Ondo! #kyonokai #bandoryu #niseiweek #niseiweek2024 #ondo #littletokyo
I have been so lucky to have been learning from the incredible headmaster of Adzuma School, Adzuma Tokuho. She is such an inspiration. Not only has been a wonder teacher but my mentor through life. Always treating me like family, she has shared her w
Happy reunion with Narikoma-ya! Never amazes me at how fantastic my family is!