Art Encouragement Newcomer Award of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
1 appearances
-
Edition 52 (2002) award
Mizuka Ueno
うえの みずか
Ueno Mizuka
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1977-12-23 （Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Residence History
- Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan → Monaco (studied) → Tokyo, Japan (residence / base)
Career
- Occupations
- Ballet dancer, Principal dancer
- Active Years
- 1995-
- Affiliations
- Maki Asami Ballet Company, The Tokyo Ballet, HONEST (management)
- Influenced By
- Maurice Béjart, Roland Petit, Vladimir Malakhov, Asami Maki
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Grace Classical Dance Academy (Monaco) | — | — | — | 1993-1995 | Monaco |
Princess Grace Classical Dance Academy (Monaco)
Period:
1993-1995
Year of Graduation:
1995
Country:
Monaco
Studied on a scholarship awarded at the Prix de Lausanne; graduated top of the class.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Kanagawa Cultural Award — Future Prize | — | 未来賞 | Kanagawa Prefecture | 受賞 |
| 2001 | Arts Encouragement Prize (Newcomer) — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Dance) | — | 舞踊部門 | Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan) | 受賞 |
| 2002 | Tokyo Shimbun Nakagawa Einosuke Award | — | — | Tokyo Shimbun | 受賞 |
| 2003 | Hattori Chieko Prize | — | — | Hattori Chieko Prize | 受賞 |
| 2021 | 72nd Arts Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (Dance) | — | 舞踊部門 | Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan) | 受賞 |
| 2023 | Medal with Purple Ribbon | — | — | Government of Japan | 受章 |
Kanagawa Cultural Award — Future Prize
2001
Category:
未来賞
Organization:
Kanagawa Prefecture
Result:
受賞
Arts Encouragement Prize (Newcomer) — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Dance)
2001
Category:
舞踊部門
Organization:
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result:
受賞
Tokyo Shimbun Nakagawa Einosuke Award
2002
Organization:
Tokyo Shimbun
Result:
受賞
Hattori Chieko Prize
2003
Organization:
Hattori Chieko Prize
Result:
受賞
72nd Arts Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (Dance)
2021
Category:
舞踊部門
Organization:
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result:
受賞
Medal with Purple Ribbon
2023
Organization:
Government of Japan
Result:
受章
Awards & Nominations
Art Encouragement Prize for Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
1 appearances
-
Edition 72 (2022) award
Works
Major Works
The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy / Clara)
1997 Classical balletDebuted in a leading role as the Sugar Plum Fairy in 1997. A signature ballet that showcased her early breakthrough with youthful, poetic expression.
Dream and fantasyComing of ageClassical technique
Swan Lake (Odette / Odile)
1999 Classical balletFirst starred as the leading role in 1999. A demanding role combining technical precision and dramatic presence, earning acclaim domestically and abroad.
Love and betrayalTragedyDuality
Don Quixote (Kitri)
2002 Classical balletKnown for her Kitri, a role characterized by virtuosity and vivacity. She continued to perform this title role as a staple of The Tokyo Ballet's repertoire.
PassionTechnical brillianceComedic elements
The Sleeping Beauty (Princess Aurora)
2003 Classical balletFirst performed Princess Aurora in 2003. A classical role demanding elegance and refined technique, which furthered her reputation.
Royalty and fateEleganceClassical beauty
Notre-Dame de Paris (Esmeralda)
1998 Contemporary / Story balletPerformed Esmeralda in Roland Petit's choreography, attracting attention both in Japan and abroad for dramatic expressiveness.
Passion and tragedySocial conflictTheatrical expression
Boléro (Ravel)
2004 Contemporary balletPerformed the solo 'Boléro' in numerous international concerts, earning strong responses for unity with the music and sustained intensity.
Repetition and crescendoUnity with music
Bibliography
- MIZUKA — Everything about Ballerina Mizuka Ueno (Shinshokan, 2003)
- Mizuka Ueno: Ballerina Spirit (Shinshokan, 2009)
- Mizuka: Ballerina Mizuka Ueno — The Story (Shinshokan, 2023)
Adaptations
- Musical 'Don Juan' appearance (2021)
- Appearances at Tokyu Sylvester Concert and other concert events (multiple years)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Balance of refined classical technique and expressive depthHigh musical sensitivity and corporeal expression
- Recurring Motifs
- Unity with musicDramatic expressivenessCoexistence of delicacy and strength
Legacy
One of Japan's leading ballerinas active both domestically and internationally. After studying on a Prix de Lausanne scholarship, she served as principal in major Japanese ballet companies and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Her contributions to the Japanese ballet scene and regional activities (such as serving as Kanagawa tourism goodwill ambassador) are widely acknowledged.
Archives
- The Tokyo Ballet Archives (material repository)
In Popular Culture
- Appearances in stage productions, galas and concerts (e.g., Tokyu Sylvester Concert)
- Collaborations with performers such as Reon Yuzuki and other event appearances
Quotes
-
What can I do for ballet? With a renewed feeling and gratitude in my heart, I want to give my best in dancing.
Source: Decoration interview (Ballet Channel) (2023)
Trivia
- Height: 170 cm.
- Began ballet at age 5.
- Won a scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne in 1993 and studied in Monaco.
- Won the gold medal at the World Ballet & Modern Dance Competition in 1996.
- Appointed Kanagawa tourism goodwill ambassador in 2007 (ongoing).
- Entered a management partnership with Oscar Promotion in 2018; moved to HONEST in 2021.
- Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2023.
- As a child in second grade she kept a grasshopper named 'Chicchi-chan' and wrote an award-winning essay about it.