Interview with Zunchacha founder Suhara Yoshimi
We spoke with Suhara Yoshimi, founder and dancer of Zunchacha, who also works as a choreographer, director, and even video editor, about her feelings for the members, the secret to keeping the group active, and what lies ahead for Zunchacha.
The energy of a team created by “openness”
What surprises me when I watch you all on YouTube is that when you dance, you don’t seem to age at all. Your works from more than 10 years ago and your recent ones leave the same impression, and with your sharp movements and overflowing energy, it’s hard to believe you’ll soon be celebrating your 30th anniversary.
Suhara (honorific omitted)
Thank you. When we’re dancing, we all forget our age (laughs).
Our motto is “Dancing in the bloom of youth for life!” We accept the challenges that come with age, but we dance with the determination to deliver something that gives people courage.
We do have younger members, but when we dance together, we don’t feel the age difference at all. Everyone is like “forever 30.”
Suhara
That makes me very happy. If that’s how you feel, it may be because the members interact with one another so naturally.
There’s an atmosphere of mutual respect in Zunchacha. When someone is working hard at something, we cheer them on, and we can honestly acknowledge each other’s wonderful qualities. I think that kind of relationship creates a lively energy.
I can sense how much you trust the members. How did they come together?
Suhara
The members who have been active for more than 20 years have continued dancing with me through a connection with a university dance club. Others joined after taking part in a Zunchacha workshop, and our circle gradually grew.
What do you think dancers need?
Suhara
“Openness, a spirit of inquiry, and perseverance,” I’d say. I feel that people who can accept anything with an open mind continually discover new possibilities.
I also think that continuing to explore yourself as a dancer and building on your daily practice lead to greater depth of expression.
Bringing out the best in each individual
You’re a dancer, but you also have many other roles, including director, choreographer, video editor, and mentor who brings the team together. Is there a role you particularly enjoy?
Suhara
I love all of them and find them rewarding.
In particular, I really enjoy dancing together in class with the members of Zunchacha Family (participants in the dance classes taught by Suhara) and creating works with the members. It’s fulfilling both physically and mentally.
That sounds wonderful. Still, are there difficult moments during practice?
Suhara
Rehearsals for a single performance take about a year, so it’s a long process, and there are times when we get nervous. Sometimes I leave the choreography to the members, and when I get stuck, their suggestions help me. They really support me.
It feels like a strong bond has grown between you and the members.
Suhara
The members never say “NO” to anything I suggest; they always trust me. That’s why I approach each work with the feeling that “it’s my mission to make the members shine!” and enjoy finding ways to bring out the best in each person.
Just be yourself
Next year (2026) will mark your 30th anniversary. Is there a secret to keeping Zunchacha going?
Suhara
Personally, there were times over the past 30 years when creating was difficult. But I became able to approach my work more easily when I stopped forcing myself to constantly pursue something new and came to accept that “I can just be myself.”
I think the simple reason we’ve kept going is that “we love dancing, enjoy it, and want to do it.” I imagine the members feel the same way.
But as a team, I feel it’s nothing short of a miracle that we’ve continued doing contemporary dance, which can be hard to pin down and has a relatively small following. I’m deeply grateful not only to the members who have walked this path with us, but also to everyone who has supported us all this time.
Without setting limits or deciding when to stop, I hope we can continue our journey of “Dancing in the bloom of youth for life!” in our own way.
Are there any events planned to mark your 30th anniversary?
Suhara
We’re greatly honored that Ars Kurashiki will host the Zunchacha 30th Anniversary Performance in February 2026.
It’s been about three years since Ars Kurashiki (Kurashiki City Cultural Promotion Foundation) told us, after our 25th anniversary performance, “Let’s do something exciting with dance!” Since then, they’ve supported a variety of projects, including video production, workshops, and video exhibitions, helping us expand our possibilities.
We’re grateful for their continued support, and the members and I are determined to give it our all.
I want to bring “something comforting” to the hearts of those who watch
Finally, what does an appealing “dance” mean to you?
Suhara
There are so many different styles of dance today, and each has its own appeal. But I find myself completely absorbed in watching dancers whose performances reveal “who they are as people.”
Closer to home, I also find it very appealing to see the members of Zunchacha Family simply enjoying dancing in class.
In Zunchacha’s dancing, you can sense each person’s expression, and a mysterious afterglow lingered after I finished watching.
Suhara
We vary in age, personality, and physical ability, and as we create works, each of us explores how to express ourselves. So I’m very happy that you felt that way.
After watching a performance, I hope someone might remember, “That person was so full of energy,” or feel encouraged and think, “I’ll do my best tomorrow, too.” I’ll continue working hard to bring something comforting to the hearts of those who watch us.
After the interview
When I put the interview together and read it over again, Suhara emerged as “a woman with poise and a supple strength.” But that’s a little different from the impression I got when we spoke in person. Listening again to the recording, I heard Suhara’s approachable voice, laughing with plenty of humor and occasionally with exaggerated reactions.
As I worked on the article, drawing out what I wanted to convey, selecting wonderful quotes, and shaping them into prose, the words were naturally filtered, and in the end, I think only Suhara’s “core” remained, vivid and clear.
Suhara and Zunchacha have made their way to this point, sometimes uncertain, but turning their many experiences into energy. As they approach the major milestone of their 30th anniversary, they are preparing to take on new challenges.
I’m sure they’ll continue to move us in a way that only Zunchacha can: unconstrained by convention and imitating no one.
Cover photo
Image courtesy of Zunchacha (photo yukiwo)
Dance Performance Group Zunchacha Information
| Organization Name | Dance Performance Group Zunchacha |
|---|---|
| Industry | Contemporary dance / dance studio |
| Representative | Suhara Yoshimi |
| Year Established | 1996 |
| Address | CHIMI STUDIO, 2-18-3 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture 710-0046 |
| Contact | 0864250737 |
| Website | ZUNCHACHA website |
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