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Naomi Mori

Naomi Mori

Naomi is a blogger living in Tokyo and travels frequently to see ballet. She is a law graduate of Waseda University and a former film publicist, film critic and IT business researcher/strategist. She blogs at La Dolce Vita in Japanese. She tweets about ballet as @naomip_86. and takes ballet class regularly

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National Ballet of Japan in Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan's Swan Lake: tragic but mesmerising

By Naomi Mori, 05 June 2026

National Ballet of Japan’s revival of Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake showed the company in good form, especially among the unified corps de ballet Swans.

****1

National Ballet of Japan in Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan's Swan Lake: tragic but mesmerising

National Ballet of Japan in Asami Maki’s Raymonda © Hidemi Seto

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a feast of excellent dancing

By Naomi Mori, 25 April 2026

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a gem in the repertoire, despite shortcomings in the plot. Lavish production designs, stunning classical choreography and excellent dancers makes this a ballet lover's heaven.

*****

National Ballet of Japan in Asami Maki’s Raymonda © Hidemi Seto

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a feast of excellent dancing

Ayako Ono as Manon and Yudai Fukuoka as Des Grieux in MacMillan's Manon © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan's revival of MacMillan's Manon was devastatingly good

By Naomi Mori, 19 March 2026

National Ballet of Japan in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon has been revived six years after its performances were cancelled because of the pandemic. Exceptionally good interpretations led the opening night performance.

****1

Ayako Ono as Manon and Yudai Fukuoka as Des Grieux in MacMillan's Manon © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan's revival of Manon was devastatingly good

National Ballet of Japan in Hans van Manen's 5 Tangos © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics

By Naomi Mori, 05 February 2026

National Ballet of Japan's Ballet Coffret showcased the versatility of the company with modern classical works including Dawson's A Million Kisses to my Skin, van Manen's 5 Tangos and Balanchine's Theme and Variations.

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National Ballet of Japan in Hans van Manen's 5 Tangos © Takashi Shikama

NBJ's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics

K-Ballet Opto and Akaji Maro as The Dead Man in A Dance Remembered in Tohno © Hajime Watanabe

K-Ballet Opto's A Dance Remembered in Tohno: thrilling mix of Japanese folklore, ballet, butoh and kabuki

By Naomi Mori, 26 December 2025

K-Ballet Opto's A Dance Remembered in Tohno, inspired by the book Tohno Stories by Kunio Yanagita, directed/choreographed by Kaiji Moriyama, is a brilliant mix of ballet, contemporary dance, butoh and kabuki, merged with Japanese folklore.

*****

K-Ballet Opto and Akaji Maro as The Dead Man in A Dance Remembered in Tohno © Hajime Watanabe

K-Ballet Opto's A Dance Remembered in Tohno: thrilling mix of genres

National Ballet of Japan in Will Tuckett's The Nutcracker © Takashi Shikama

Will Tuckett's Nutcracker for National Ballet of Japan is delightful

By Naomi Mori, 19 December 2025

National Ballet of Japan premiered production of Nutcracker choreographed by Will Tuckett, that features a stylish and dramatic Act 1 and a hilarious, colourful and unique Act 2.

****1

National Ballet of Japan in Will Tuckett's The Nutcracker © Takashi Shikama

Will Tuckett's Nutcracker for National Ballet of Japan is delightful

Yuri Kimura as Cinderella in Ashton's Cinderella © Kiyonori Hasegawa

National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

By Naomi Mori, 18 October 2025

The National Ballet of Japan gave an excellent rendition of Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella, in spite of many new faces and role debuts.

****1

Yuri Kimura as Cinderella in Ashton's Cinderella © Kiyonori Hasegawa

National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

Shiori Kase as Kitri and Masaya Yamamoto as Basilio in Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote © K-Ballet Tokyo

Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote by K-Ballet Tokyo: a dazzling production

By Naomi Mori, 26 September 2025

Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote for K-Ballet Tokyo is a production that promises the audience much enjoyment, with thrilling lead dancers and excellent storytelling.

*****

Shiori Kase as Kitri and Masaya Yamamoto as Basilio in Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote © K-Ballet Tokyo

Kumakawa's Don Quixote by K-Ballet Tokyo: a dazzling production

Yuri Kimura as the Queen of Hearts in Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland © Takashi Shikama

Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles again in Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 12 June 2025

Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland returned to the National Ballet of Japan, a marvelous production that amply displays the many talents of the company.

****1

Yuri Kimura as the Queen of Hearts in Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland © Takashi Shikama

Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles again in Tokyo

Ayako Ono as Giselle and Yudai Fukuoka as Albrecht in Giselle © Kiyonori Hasegawa

National Ballet of Japan's revival of Giselle: a dramatic return

By Naomi Mori, 10 April 2025

National Ballet of Japan has revived their production of Giselle, ahead of their tour to the Royal Opera House in London, replicating the triumphant success it had in 2022.

*****

Ayako Ono as Giselle and Yudai Fukuoka as Albrecht in Giselle © Kiyonori Hasegawa

National Ballet of Japan's revival of Giselle: a dramatic return

Risako Ikeda as the Firebird and Takuro Watanabe as Prince Ivan in The Firebird © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan’s new triple bill is full of bold challenges

By Naomi Mori, 15 March 2025

While National Ballet of Japan’s latest triple bill presents many challenges, one hopes these valuable masterpieces will be revived, enabling the company to develop its virtuosity and artistry.

****1

Risako Ikeda as the Firebird and Takuro Watanabe as Prince Ivan in The Firebird © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan’s new triple bill is full of bold challenges

Mizuki Watanabe and Takuro Watanabe in Takafumi Watanabe's Seul et unique © Takashi Shikama

NBJ’s young choreographers are showcased in Dance to the Future

By Naomi Mori, 30 November 2024

In National Ballet of Japan's Dance to the Future, the standards of choreography were high compared to past years, and the ability of the dancers to express these contemporary works, was noteworthy.

***11

Mizuki Watanabe and Takuro Watanabe in Takafumi Watanabe's Seul et unique © Takashi Shikama

NBJ’s young choreographers are showcased in Dance to the Future

Hugo Marchand as Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling © Maria Helena Buckley

Paris Opera Ballet: a superlative Mayerling

By Naomi Mori, 06 November 2024

Paris Opera Ballet has triumphantly revived Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, two years after its company premiere in 2022.

****1

Hugo Marchand as Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling © Maria Helena Buckley

Paris Opera Ballet: a superlative Mayerling

National Ballet of Japan in the Prologue of Wayne Eagling's The Sleeping Beauty © Hidemi Seto

National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

By Naomi Mori, 25 October 2024

National Ballet of Japan opened their 2024/25 season with Eagling’s The Sleeping Beauty. Haruka Sassa's Aurora, guesting from Staatsballett Berlin, and prima ballerina, Yui Yonezawa, debuting as the Lilac Fairy, were highly impressive.

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National Ballet of Japan in the Prologue of Wayne Eagling's The Sleeping Beauty © Hidemi Seto

National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

National Ballet of Japan in the Cave of Riches in David Bintley's Aladdin © Takashi Shikama

David Bintley's Aladdin: a beloved production returns to Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 14 June 2024

National Ballet of Japan has revived Sir David Bintley’s Aladdin for the first time in five years and it shows how the company has developed since the premiere in 2008.

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National Ballet of Japan in the Cave of Riches in David Bintley's Aladdin © Takashi Shikama

David Bintley's Aladdin: a beloved production returns to Tokyo

Ayako Ono as Nikiya and Yudai Fukuoka as Solor in La Bayadère © Hidemi Seto

National Ballet of Japan's La Bayadère offers breathtaking Shades

By Naomi Mori, 27 April 2024

National Ballet of Japan has revived its version of La Bayadère choreographed by former director Asami Maki. Brilliantly performed by strong lead dancers, the Kingdom of the Shades was particularly breathtaking.

****1

Ayako Ono as Nikiya and Yudai Fukuoka as Solor in La Bayadère © Hidemi Seto

National Ballet of Japan's La Bayadère offers breathtaking Shades

New Adventures with Paris Fitzpatrick as Romeo in Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet © Johan Persson

Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet: a 21st century love story

By Naomi Mori, 10 April 2024

Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures brought its groundbreaking Romeo and Juliet to Tokyo for the first time and wowed the audience with its magical storytelling.

*****

New Adventures with Paris Fitzpatrick as Romeo in Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet © Johan Persson

Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet: a 21st century love story

Yudai Fukuoka as Hoffmann and Risako Ikeda as Olympia in Peter Darrell's Tales of Hoffmann © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan: Tales of Hoffmann, a successful revival

By Naomi Mori, 23 February 2024

National Ballet of Japan have revived Peter Darrell’s Tales of Hoffmann and whilst this may not be a masterpiece, served to show how much the company is evolving, with excellent lead dancers.

****1

Yudai Fukuoka as Hoffmann and Risako Ikeda as Olympia in Peter Darrell's Tales of Hoffmann © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan: Tales of Hoffmann, a successful revival

Myriam Ould-Braham as Manon and Mathieu Ganio as Des Grieux in MacMillan's Manon © Hidemi Seto

Paris Opera Ballet’s Manon: phenomenal performances in Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 17 February 2024

The Paris Opera Ballet gave excellent performances of Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, with strong lead dancers, depicting 18th century demi-monde society, which is not so far removed from the 21st century.

****1

Myriam Ould-Braham as Manon and Mathieu Ganio as Des Grieux in MacMillan's Manon © Hidemi Seto

Paris Opera Ballet’s Manon: phenomenal performances in Tokyo

Ayako Ono as Clara and Yudai Fukuoka as Nutcracker in Eagling's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King © Kiyonori Hasegawa

Ayako Ono dazzles in National Ballet of Japan’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

By Naomi Mori, 25 December 2023

National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling is a family favourite, with lead dancers Ayako Ono and Yudai Fukuoka giving a flawless performance as the leads.

****1

Ayako Ono as Clara and Yudai Fukuoka as Nutcracker in Eagling's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King © Kiyonori Hasegawa

Ayako Ono dazzles in National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker

Saho Shibayama as Kitri and Shun Izawa as Basilio with National Ballet of Japan in Don Quixote © Takashi Shikama

Don Quixote opens the season with a new principal ballerina in Japan

By Naomi Mori, 21 October 2023

National Ballet of Japan's 2023/24 season opened to a very appreciative audience with Alexei Fadeyechev’s Don Quixote.

****1

Saho Shibayama as Kitri and Shun Izawa as Basilio with National Ballet of Japan in Don Quixote © Takashi Shikama

Don Quixote opens the season with a new principal ballerina in Japan

Risako Ikeda, Haruka Soutome, Mikuri Hirokawa, Saya Ikeda as Cygnets in Peter Wright's Swan Lake © Kiyonori Hasegawa

Superlative! National Ballet of Japan in Peter Wright's Swan Lake

By Naomi Mori, 10 June 2023

This production provides a hugely fulfilling evening, rich in drama and the beauty of classical ballet.

****1

Risako Ikeda, Haruka Soutome, Mikuri Hirokawa, Saya Ikeda as Cygnets in Peter Wright's Swan Lake © Kiyonori Hasegawa

Superlative! National Ballet of Japan in Peter Wright's Swan Lake

Yui Yonezawa as Lady Macbeth in Will Tuckett's The Tragedy of Macbeth © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan thrills in Tuckett's The Tragedy of Macbeth

By Naomi Mori, 29 April 2023

Two adaptations of well-known Shakespeare plays make wonderful additions to the repertoire of the National Ballet of Japan.

****1

Yui Yonezawa as Lady Macbeth in Will Tuckett's The Tragedy of Macbeth © Takashi Shikama

National Ballet of Japan thrills in Tuckett's The Tragedy of Macbeth

Ryuji Yamamoto and Yui Yonezawa in Roland Petit's Coppélia © Kiyonori Hasegawa

National Ballet of Japan: Petit’s Coppélia charms its live audience

By Naomi Mori, 24 February 2023

National Ballet of Japan performed Roland Petit’s Coppélia in front of a live audience for the first time, showing the company to be in great form.

****1

Ryuji Yamamoto and Yui Yonezawa in Roland Petit's Coppélia © Kiyonori Hasegawa

National Ballet of Japan: Petit’s Coppélia charms its live audience

Haruna Nakajima and Shogo Hayami in A Million Kisses to my Skin © Takashi Shikama

Guests and A Million Kisses to My Skin add sparkle to National Ballet of Japan's New Year Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 13 January 2023

Their artistry was something that is rarely seen and is a great gift to us all.

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Haruna Nakajima and Shogo Hayami in A Million Kisses to my Skin © Takashi Shikama

A breath of fresh air and an eye-opener for audiences!

The Afternoon of a Faun © Takashi Shikama

A brutal but mesmerising Rite of Spring from the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 25 November 2022

NBJ shows a contemporary double bill choreographed by Motoko Hirayama; a powerful and daring programme that strengthens their dancers’ versatility.

****1

The Afternoon of a Faun © Takashi Shikama

A mesmerising Rite of Spring from the National Ballet of Japan

Kosuke Okumura (Albrecht) and Ayako Ono (Giselle) © Takashi Shikama

A spellbinding new Giselle for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 21 October 2022

NBJ's season opens with a successful new production of the 19th-century classic Giselle, directed by Miyako Yoshida and choreographed by Alastair Marriott.

****1

Kosuke Okumura (Albrecht) and Ayako Ono (Giselle) © Takashi Shikama

A spellbinding new Giselle for the National Ballet of Japan

Christopher Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles at National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 03 June 2022

Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland proves to be one of the greatest recent successes at the National Ballet of Japan, promising a feast of delights, an enjoyable night at the ballet for both children and adults.

****1

Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles in Tokyo

National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella returns successfully

By Naomi Mori, 30 April 2022

A much beloved production with magical charm, National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella, choreographed by Fredrick Ashton, is successfully performed to a full house audience, thanks to coaching by Miyako Yoshida who performed the role in her days at The Royal Ballet.

****1

National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella returns successfully

National Ballet of Japan kicks off 2022 with stylish New Year Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 14 January 2022

National Ballet of Japan successfully performs two very different pieces, George Balanchine's Theme and Variations and David Bintley's Still Life at the Penguin Café, amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

****1

National Ballet of Japan kicks off 2022 with stylish New Year Ballet

National Ballet of Japan dazzles in Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake

By Naomi Mori, 23 October 2021

National Ballet of Japan premieres Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake, which had been postponed for a year due to Covid restrictions.

****1

National Ballet of Japan dazzles in Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake

National Ballet of Japan's Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture

By Naomi Mori, 24 July 2021

The National Ballet of Japan's Ryuuguu: the Turtle Princess is a ballet aimed at family audiences but adults can also enjoy it as it is a great showcase for Japanese culture with Noh and Kabuki influences and philosophy.

*****

Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture

A stunning Carmen by Àlex Ollé opens at New National Theatre

By Naomi Mori, 06 July 2021

New National Opera sucessfully opened a world premiere production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, directed by Spanish director Àlex Ollé, a production inspired by Amy Winehouse, a diva of today.

****1

A stunning Carmen by Àlex Ollé opens at New National Theatre

National Ballet of Japan's Raymonda makes a glorious return to stage

By Naomi Mori, 05 June 2021

Asami Maki's Raymonda returns to stage after 12 years, and the result was glorious, with excellent interpretation by Yui Yonezawa, Yudai Fukuoka and Masahiro Nakaya.

****1

National Ballet of Japan's Raymonda makes a glorious return to stage

Roland Petit's Coppelia a holiday week treat in Japan

By Naomi Mori, 02 May 2021

Roland Petit's Coppélia by The National Ballet of Japan was streamed to more than 30,000 online viewers, entertaining people forced to stay home during the holidays.

****1

Roland Petit's Coppelia a holiday week treat in Japan

Afternoon of Fauns and Nymphs shows diversity of Japanese contemporary dance

By Naomi Mori, 26 March 2021

New National Theatre Tokyo's gala evening of six works by six pairs of dancers was a brilliant evening showing works from Japan's leading choreographers and dancers.

****1

Fauns and Nymphs shows diversity of Japanese contemporary dance

Eagling's Sleeping Beauty delivers an awakening kiss to the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 20 February 2021

In the National Ballet of Japan's Sleeping Beauty, the fulfilment and joy of being able to dance was apparent in the whole company and the result was glorious.

****1

An awakening kiss for the National Ballet of Japan

National Ballet of Japan's New Year Ballet creates a buzz with “Still Life” at the Penguin Café

By Naomi Mori, 11 January 2021

New Year Ballet displayed the versatility of the National Ballet of Japan, from the 19th-century classic Paquita, to three works by Japanese choreographers and David Bintley's “Still Life” at the Penguin Café.

****1

New Year Ballet creates a buzz with “Still Life” at the Penguin Café

National Ballet of Japan conquers the challenges of Wayne Eagling's Nutcracker

By Naomi Mori, 19 December 2020

National Ballet of Japan's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King conquers the challenge of Wayne Eagling, a flawed but enjoyable production with high quality dancing

****1

National Ballet of Japan conquers the Nutcracker challenges

Don Quixote is a triumphant season opener for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 23 October 2020

National Ballet of Japan marks a triumphant season opening of Don Quixote with new director Miyako Yoshida, the first ballet performance in 8 months with full seating capacity audience and live orchestra. .

****1

A triumphant season opener for the National Ballet of Japan

The World of John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 08 March 2016

The highlight of Hamburg Ballet’s tour in Japan was the gala The World of John Neumeier. It was rather a full length piece following the life and career of Neumeier with his major works performed seamlessly, accompanied by his own narration

*****

John Neumeier: In love with Dance

The Winter's Tale, National Ballet of Canada

By Naomi Mori, 19 November 2015

Wheeldon's Winter's Tale for The National Ballet of Canada is a soaring success.

The Winter’s Tale, National Ballet of Canada

Peter Darell's Tales of Hoffman, National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 30 October 2015

The National Ballet of Japan mounted a new production of Peter Darrell’s The Tales of Hoffmann based on the Offenbach's opera. Although no masterpiece, it was an enjoyable evening and the quality of dancing by the four primas, the fascinating new sets and the costumes did entertain the audience a lot.

****1

Peter Darell's Tales of Hoffman in Japan

National Ballet of Japan's ethereal La Bayadere

By Naomi Mori, 17 February 2015

National Ballet of Japan’s La Bayadère boasts a magnificent corps de ballet, and with prima ballerinas Ayako Ono and Yui Yonezawa as the lead ladies and guest star Vadim Muntagirov as Solor, this highly dramatic and thrilling perfomance of La Bayadère makes for a memorable evening.

****1

National Ballet of Japan's Bayadere

National Ballet of Japan's new Sleeping Beauty

By Naomi Mori, 08 November 2014

National Ballet of Japan created a new version of Sleeping Beauty reimagined by Wayne Eagling. Vadim Muntagirov of Royal Ballet guested, and Yui Yonezawa was Aurora.

***11

NBJ's new Sleeping Beauty

NBA Ballet, Michael Pink’s Dracula

By Naomi Mori, 25 October 2014

NBA Ballet performed Michael Pink’s Dracula for the first time as a Japanese company. With lavishing designs by Lez Brotherston and charismatic performance by Yusuke Onuki, this gothic piece was a perfect entertainment act for Halloween.

****1

NBA Ballet, Michael Pink’s Dracula

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake starring Marcelo Gomes

By Naomi Mori, 09 September 2014

ABT's Marcelo Gomes stars in Matthew Bourne's <em>Swan Lake</em>, his Swan a sensational success in Tokyo!

*****

Bourne's Swan Lake in Tokyo

BABEL (words), Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet

By Naomi Mori, 29 August 2014

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet's BABEL deals with the issues of globalization and isolation and how people from different cultures coexist. A stunning collaboration between choreography, music and stage design, it is both intellectual and entertaining.

****1

Babel Cherkaoui & Jalet

The Legacy of the Ballet Russes lives in Tokyo Komaki Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 23 August 2014

Tokyo Komaki Ballet, a company intricatelly tied to the Ballet Russes, performed three of its works, Afternoon of a Faun, Prince Igor and Petrushka.

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Ballets Russes triple bill, Tokyo Komaki Ballet

Saburo Teshigawara's Sleep, featuring Aurélie Dupont

By Naomi Mori, 14 August 2014

Saburo Teshigawara's KASHA première Sleep in Tokyo, with Paris Opéra Ballet's Aurélie Dupont as guest artist.

****1

em>Sleep*, Teshigawara