Japanese Literary Awards

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Miyako Yoshida

よしだ みやこ

Yoshida Miyako

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1965-10-28 （Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, English
Residence History
United Kingdom (Birmingham, London) → Japan (Tokyo)

Career

Occupations
Ballerina, Artistic Director of Dance, Visiting Professor (Dance), Author
Active Years
1984-
Affiliations
Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet), The Royal Ballet (guest principal; later principal), New National Theatre, Tokyo Ballet Company (Artistic Director of Dance, 2020–), Japan for UNHCR (Goodwill Artist / Honorary), Kobe College (Visiting Professor, Department of Dance)
Memberships
Japan for UNHCR — Goodwill Artist (appointment), Kobe College — Visiting Professor (Dance)
Influenced By
Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, Peter Wright, Ninette de Valois

Education

Matsuyama Ballet School
Period: 幼少期 - 初等・中等期（在籍期間 不明）
Country: Japan
Studied and performed with Matsuyama Ballet (appeared in corps de ballet)
Royal Ballet School (UK)
Period: 1983年頃 - 1984年頃
Country: United Kingdom
Entered on scholarship after Prix de Lausanne selection; progressed rapidly and moved to a professional company

Awards

Arts Encouragement Prize (Newcomer) - Dance
1997
Category: 舞踊
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs / Arts Encouragement Prizes
Result: 受賞
Arts Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (Dance)
2001
Category: 舞踊
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs / Arts Encouragement Prizes
Result: 受賞
UNESCO Artist for Peace
2004
Organization: UNESCO
Result: 任命
Critics' Circle Dance Section — Best Female Dancer
2007
Organization: Critics' Circle (Dance Section)
Result: 受賞
Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor
2007
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
2007
Organization: The British Honours System / Order of the British Empire
Result: 授与
Mainichi Art Award
2011
Organization: The Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Person of Cultural Merit
2017
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 選出
Kikuchi Kan Prize
2019
Organization: Kikuchi Kan Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

MIYAKO: The Trajectory of Miyako Yoshida — A Treasure of The Royal Ballet

2001 Biography / Photo book

A photo-rich biography chronicling Miyako Yoshida's career at The Royal Ballet and her trajectory as a principal.

Classical balletInternational careerLegacy of performing arts

Miyako Yoshida: An Endless Journey

2005 Autobiography / Essay

A collection of essays by Yoshida reflecting on her experiences and philosophy of dance.

Self and danceCareer formationPractice and expression

Miyako Lessons: The Essence of Miyako Yoshida's Ballet Class

2011 Instruction / Teaching

A guide summarizing Yoshida's lesson philosophy and teaching methods for instructors and students.

Teaching methodsBallet fundamentalsRefining expression

Bibliography

  • MIYAKO: The Trajectory of Miyako Yoshida — A Treasure of The Royal Ballet
  • Miyako Yoshida: An Endless Journey
  • The Essence of The Royal Ballet: Miyako Yoshida
  • Miyako Yoshida: A Moment of Eternity — Everything of a Royal Ballet Principal
  • Miyako Lessons: The Essence of Miyako Yoshida's Ballet Class
  • Ballerina: The Reason to Keep Dancing
  • Miyako Yoshida: The Eternal Principal

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Candid reflections as a performing artist and practical teaching discourseReminiscence-style composition combining photographs and essays
Recurring Motifs
Respect for classical balletDelicate and precise expressionPurity of youthful/fairy roles

Legacy

Miyako Yoshida rose from Japan to become an internationally renowned principal with a long career in the UK, serving as a bridge between Japanese and British ballet. After retiring from performing she has led as an artistic director, fostering younger dancers and producing work; through awards and public activities she has significantly contributed to the promotion of dance both domestically and internationally.

Academic Societies

  • Kobe College — Department of Dance (Visiting Professor)

In Popular Culture

  • Known to wide audiences via NHK appearances and documentaries
  • Retirement performances and feature programs received major domestic media coverage

Trivia

  • Height: 163 cm.
  • Long-serving principal in the UK; left The Royal Ballet in 2010.
  • Retired from dancing in 2019 and became Artistic Director of Dance at New National Theatre, Tokyo in 2020.
  • Awarded Japan's Purple Ribbon Medal in 2007 and appointed OBE in the same year.
  • Named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2004.