The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-02-03
Dance as Language
BY FREDERICK J. HAsKtN

WASHINGTON. d. c., Feb 3.-That
art can be the means of bringing the
nations together in peace is the belief
of Michio Itow. japanese dancer in
this country.
Mr.. ltow believes that a 10-year
naval holiday would be simply that
and nothing more if no attempt was
made TO promote spirit of fellowship
between nations during the 10-year
experiment. Art, he says, is the in
ternational language through which
men of all nations express themselves.
Therefore, to use another figure, art
is the common field on which they can
best meet.
To-day the world is divided into
three parts - America, Europe and
Asia" he said. speaking in rapid
English and making eloquent gestures.
Europe and America have much in
common since America is an offshoot
of Europe. They understand each 9th
er to some extent. But Asia is not so
allied. Yet we must have understand
ing. How can East and West talk of
peaceful settlement in Shantung and
zap until they understand each
other?"
Mr.. Itow finds one reason for mis-
understanding in the different types of
culture in different parts of the world.
To-day we discover that there is
such thing as spiritual civilization
and a material civilization. We have
IN the East 5000 years of art and phil
osophy from spiritual standpoint In
western countries there is much mate
rial development But there is no bal
ance in East or West East is three
fourths spiritual; West, three-fourths
material. Each has something that the
other lacks, and each needs the other.
Mr.. ltow, we understand, does not
mean by this that the PHILOSOPHERS of
the Orient should be transferred to the
West for our higher development 1t
is rather the Unborn serenity with
which the East regards the world that
the turbulent West lacks. The Orient,
which for centuries made so little prog
ress in science and trade, is now rap
idly learning from US The balance
between the spiritual and the material
is tending to right itself there. So far,
however, the West has scarcely given
any thought to the possibility of deriv-
ing practical benefit from eastern cul-
tUre.
No. ltow regards art as the link
TO bring the two sides of the world
together.
Whether dance in Moscow, Seville
or Toxic | am understood" he says.
Il speak to the people in a language
that they can read. Hate. love, fear,
are expressed physiologically by more
or less the same muscles everywhere
The difference is mainly in degree.
The Italian is emotional. The English
type is more repressed.'
Other arts also speak from nation
10 nation. but the dancer is naturally
most interested in his own medium of
expression. Dancing, he says, is the
newest of the arts-to be recognized
as such. Yet it is the highest form of
expression. He esplains this claim of
the supremacy of the dance by the eX-
ample of temple dancing
In Japan | have seen the temple
priests holding ceremonies. While they
chant. a circle of dancers sits on the
floor motionless. When priests reach
the climax, when no more words of
praise of supplication can be found,
they stop Mr.. ItoW expressive hands
that had been suggesting the motions
of the priest fell. Then with sinuous
gestures he showed the temple girls
beginning to rouse into life and sway
into figures of the dance.
When dancers begin to move, the
service rises to its highest peak" he
explained. Where possibilities of
voice end, dancing begins.
These possibilities of the dance are
neglected in the West. Churches could
use symbolic dances as a valuable part
of the service. Dancing was once Sc
used, and theatre and church belong
together. do not blame the churches
for denOuncing the dance as it is in
Popular use. But in its highest forms
as sincere art, is is worthy of respect
One New York church last year
attempted use of symbolic dancing as
an experiment, and | believe eventual