FURYU
MENBURYU-INSPIRED DANCE-FITNESS
by Stephanie Ann Houghton & Kazuki Miyata
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The two photographs showcase Menburyu. The MENBURYU-INSPIRED DANCE-FITNESS program under development was INSPIRED by Menburyu, but differs from it. What is Menburyu?
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"Menburyu is Kashima city's original traditional dance and Saga prefecture's Important Intangible Folk Cultural asset. The dance is to wish for a huge harvest, praying for rain and dedication to god. The dancers wear Furyu masks, they wear horse hair on their heads, hang a small drum from their shoulders and dance bravely with sounds of whistles, bells and drums. Depending on the area, the costumes are different but around Ariake Sea and west Saga to Isahaya city in Nagasaki prefecture, the dancers wear the livery coat with a sailor's pattern or a plain navy blue undergarment. Menburyu is popular with locals and is also known around the prefecture" (http://www.sugicho.com/en/furyu.php)
FURYU is an educational curriculum being developed by Stephanie Ann Houghton, through collaboration with professional fitness instructor Kazuki Miyata, that attempts to raise awareness of and prevent dementia through lifestyle management in five interconnected areas of activity:
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1. Heritage management
2. Intercultural dialogue
3. Technology
4. Art generation
5. Health and fitness across age groups in ageing society
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FURYU finds expression through various educational projects that include:
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