Meet Shu Kinouchi | A dancer and an artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shu Kinouchi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shu, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance was almost non exist before. I was making so much commitment to dance I didn’t have anything left for a well rounded life- for life or love or friendship or beauty or nature. Since I met my girlfriend I had to question how I positioned my career as a professional dancer within my life. I barely had energy to see her or be present with her and she was able to communicate her needs well. I hadn’t questioned what else I needed or wanted because my whole life was designed around being “the best dancer”. Ballet requires so much from you and mindset is still very old school. It was inspiring to me to watch athletes like Simone Biles and and Naomi Osaka change narrative that you can can be excellent- the best in world- without being horrible to yourself. Or being screamed at and drilled as only way to scare person into excellence. Rest is mandatory. A broken spirit isn’t a requirement. I am still working through and trying to find balance and prioritize my mental health.

I was a professional ballet dancer for a decade, I’ve been training in ballet since I was 3. I left Japan at 13 to study in Germany and then to New York to study at American Ballet Theatre. I didn’t speak the language either country. It was so lonely. I started to question the strictness of ballet and want more expression and creative flexion so I auditioned for L.A. Dance Project, a contemporary dance company. And they welcomed me with open arm for who I am.

I think I’ve learned to value dance as an art form rather than dance as an industry. But I had to learn to make that distinction- because I thought they were the same thing. I thought the industry of dance would value dance as an art form and the dancers who make it- but I was disappointed over and over by the inner workings and mindsets of the industry. So I had to separate for myself that dance as art is not equal to dance as industry. And sometimes they overlap, and that is beautiful and appreciated but it will be fleeting. I had to adjust my expectations to what the reality was showing me over and over. And there was mourning in that. I devoted my childhood to dancing and as a kid you think it will be different. So I have been working a lot with my inner child who just wanted to be a dancer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of and excited about producing and choreographing my own solo show. We just performed it the weekend of Aug 24th 25th and we are hoping to remount. The show is called SHU LOVES CHAIRS: a piece about support. I have been thinking about “support” because the world is getting divided with radicalization, and how I can talk about support with dance. I have been having this dream to want to dance with chairs- to change how people see the world and think about the support they take for granted. Even an inch difference. People don’t think about support that chairs give- but way of life in Japan is we respect our items because spirits live in them- we appreciate what they provide to us. When I started working at LA Dance Project in 2020 I found out that there are many designer chairs in the space, and I started dancing with one of Waka Waka chairs before I knew what Waka Waka was, I just really liked this chair. Turns out Shin Okuda, designer from WakaWaka is also from Japan. I texted him on instagram for lunch, and he welcomed me! Every time I get a chance to see him I would tell him I would love to make dance with Waka Waka chairs. I really wanted to make a dance. Then one day I went to my neighborhood farmers market with my girlfriend and I ran into Shin! I ask him again, and this time Shin was like let’s do this summer and Carrie said she will direct. And I had few months of lay off so I was like lets use this time to make the show. We asked if we can use studio at LA Dance project to rehearse and and worked on the show for 5 weeks. Carrie and I ended up making a 50 min dance theater solo with Waka Waka chairs. We produced and performed at the Waka Waka workshop in end of the August. I am so so so proud. I cannot still believe the show happened. People praised me with chairs? cheers. They said to me shows gave many emotions and they will see their furnitures differently. I still cant believe this happened. I also wanted to make a dance that made people reflect and meditate kinda rather than be impressed. I wanted it to be more of a conversation and poem rather than sit back and watch an impressive dancer, kinda thing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Personally I would take them to where I live. South Pasadena. The town is so wholesome and quiet and peaceful. I would take you to the farmers market, best produce ever. Jacob at Burkdoll Farm has best peaches and grapes you ever had. Coffee at Two Kids. I would window shop at Camille for unique findings, I recently got a huge straw hat and wear it everywhere. Then some treat at Berry Opera, best cakes in America. And Gus’s BBQ is delicious barbeque. Then walk around Lacey Park. For places outside of South Pas- I also love Hennessy + Ingalls bookstore in Art District and while you are there see if my company has any dance performance- LA Dance Project. LA has amazing dance scene! I would see if JA Collective, HEAVY BOOTS, PLAYDO, BEMOVING, Spenser Theberge or Jobel Medina had anything going on I could take them to.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My girlfriend and her family for the healing and love and showing me a way of life
My mom and sister for constant support and just existing
My Bestie and dancer friends for connections and inspirations and acceptance
My therapist for listening and educating and recognizing
CPTSD and IFS help on youtube from Tim Fletcher and Patrick Teahan
Mountains and ocean and chairs to be there for everyone

Website: https://shukinouchi.me

Instagram: shushuagogo

Twitter: shu_nfts

Youtube: shu kinouchi

Image Credits
1. Hope Spears
2. Dan Chen
3. Lorrin Brubaker
4. Josh Rose
5.Hope Spears