Michiko Kurata

Hanayagi Sukekatsumi 花柳輔佳津美 (Michiko Kurata) began studying traditional Japanese dance at the age of 2. She studied “Kabuki buyo,” a popular dance form derived from Kabuki, under Hanayagi Sukesaburo, a renowned master of traditional Japanese dance, and the official dance teacher for the Asakusa geisha society. Ms. Kurata placed first in the junior division of the prestigious National Dance Contest at the age of 15.  The same year, she attained the “natori” status and earned her professional name. She has performed solo at major theaters such as the National Theatre and the Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo before coming to the US. Since then she has performed at cultural events at Brown University, her alma mater, and numerous other institutions. She has a Masters in Teaching degree from Tufts University and has taught high school world history, while also giving lectures on traditional Japanese dance and music at Boston area universities and schools.