Slow Circus

We are the First Social Circus Company in Japan

Slow Circus promotes a Social Circus run by non-profit organization Slow Label. Since 2017, we have developed a program for Japanese social issues with the support of Cirque du Monde / Cirque du Soleil. We provide a training program for team building and diversity management to educational institutions, welfare facilities, local community and business persons.

We are the First Social Circus Company in Japan We are the First Social Circus Company in Japan

What is Slow Circus ?

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Features of Slow Circus

Feature 1.
The social circus has finally landed in Japan!

This is a completely original program that can only be experienced here, created by fusing that method with Slow Label's accessibility know-how developed for the Ceremony of Tokyo Paralympic and social circus by Cirque du Monde which Cirque du Soleil has spread around the world as a CSR for over 25 years.

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Feature 2.
Anyone can experience it. The warmest step circus school in Japan!

The program provided by Slow Circus is fun and enjoyable as if you were in fitness. From beginners to professionals, you can enjoy practicing and creating, sometimes together, and sometimes depending on your purpose and level.

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Feature 3.
A circus company made up of unique members!

Slow Circus is made up of diverse members including age, gender, impairment, and style. Currently, there are more than 30 members, and they live in various areas such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagano, Shizuoka, and Osaka. We aim to be a team that can support each other while respecting each person's style and circumstances. Many of the members have overseas experience, and we operate with a global perspective and sense. We contributed to ceremonies for Tokyo2020.

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Feature 4.
Specialist to create a safe environment

We provide a program that allows people who have anxiety due to disabilities to participate with peace of mind. Specialists create an environment where all participants can enjoy themselves in a flat circle.

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Access Corrdinator

They understand the individual circumstances and support to minimize anxiety and stress in participating, such as coordinating support members and assistive devices necessary for creating a physically and mentally safe environment.

Accompanist

They draw out hidden creativity while participating in the program in the same position as performers, while working together to find ways to overcome various difficulties.

Recent Programs

Slow Circus Academy

It is a program consisting of 12 curriculums in half a year. There are 2 courses.

  • Empowerment Course This is for people with disabilities who want to challenge their own potential through co-creation experience of social circus.
  • Accompanist Course Performers and choreographers who are interested in performing arts with people with disabilities and hope to acquire techniques for empowering social minorities.
Slow Circus Academy Slow Circus Academy

Workshop

This is a one-off program for those who want to experience it first. The one-off program is held irregularly in events and lectures other than the circus.

Workshop Workshop

Training for Trainers

We also offer trainer training courses for people who want to utilize social circus for rehabilitation and community building.

Training for Trainers Training for Trainers

Starter Kit

This is a kit product developed for individuals and groups who want to easily introduce a social circus at welfare facilities and educational institutions. This kit comes with 7 different tools and a DVD. It can be used for rehabilitation and leisure activities.

Starter Kit

Creation

Creation of Slow Circus initiatives are led by artists experienced in working with people from different backgrounds, or guest artists invited in accordance with each project's theme. Slow Specialists from a number of fields ensure a safe and high quality environment for creation.

True Colors Circus : Slow Circus
"T∞KY∞ -too good to be a bag-"

Slow Movement -Next Stage Showcase & Forum-

Yokohama Paratriennale 2017

Slow Movement Showcase & Forum Vol.2
[Showcase] Onna Matsumushi

"Slow Movement Showcase & Forum vol.5"
-Hagoromo- PV

Slow Circus animation "MEG" CM

Commentary Guide

Commentary Guide

The works of Slow Circus are devised so that diverse audiences can enjoy them together. A commentary guide that we carry out research and development is an easy-to-understand guide for everyone. While incorporating information accessibility know-how for people with various disabilities such as sight, hearing, and intellectual disabilities, this guide also includes information that is not usually seen or heard, such as the background of the work and the thoughts of the creator.We are also working on training script writers and narrators.

Research

We exchange research and information with artists, companies and specialists who are engaging in pioneering activities overseas, and invite them to hold lectures and workshops.

History

2021
Produced a new work "T∞KY∞ -Too Good to be a Bug-" at the Nippon Foundation's True Colors Festival. A state of emergency was announced on the day of the performance, and the dress rehearsal was delivered online. Performers, Accompanists, and Access Coordinators participated in the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics and made great contribution to their success.
2020
Under the influence of the spread of covid-19, we made the circus school online. In the creation, the international co-creation animation "MEG" (Yokohama Paratriennale 2020 official work) was released.
2019
The social circus program officially begins. Facilitators are dispatched to junior high school special needs classrooms. A training program is developed for corporate diversity management. A monthly regular course, Slow Circus School intended to empower minorities who have few opportunities to interact with society at large is opened in its trial phase.
2018
Research is conducted into social circus programs in Asia, North America, and Europe.
Slow Label participates in the International Social Circus Meeting in Italy.
Instructors are welcomed from Quebec, Italy, and other countries to train local facilitators.
2017
The chief aerial trainer from the London Paralympics visits Slow Label. A development initiative is launched with an eye toward training local aerial artists in aerial instruction for people with disabilities.
With the help of physical therapist and physical trainers, research begins on physical and mental training for people with disabilities.
Yokohama Paratriennale 2017 is held. An outdoor circus is performed by 100 local and foreign citizens.
Kaiji Moriyama is welcomed as a choreographer, directing 100 local participants in a performance held in Osaka.
With the support of Cirque de Soleil, research on the social circus begins.
2016
Slow Label director Yoshie Kris joins the Rio Paralympics as a stage advisor for the closing and flag handover ceremony. Performers and support staff are sent to Rio for the performance, contributing to its success.
2015
Slow Movement is established with the collaboration of Keisuke Kanai, and a performance work is created and staged by local citizens. Dedicated "access coordinators" and "accompanists" are trained to support individuals with disabilities through the artwork creation process, focusing in particular on improving accessibility. The number of performers with disabilities steadily grows. (A total of 11 performances are subsequently held across the nation.)
2014
A workshop is held with Catherine Magi (director of Espace Catastrophe) -who has achieved success with her collaborations with individuals with disabilities- as part of Yokohama Paratriennale 2014.* Circus artist Keisuke Kanai is also brought in to hold a circus workshop for all, regardless of their level of ability or disability. While the outreach at specialized facilities proves a success, accessibility issues make it impossible for those with disabilities to participate in the workshops held outside these facilities, hampering the activities. *Coordinator: Michiko Tanaka (Setouchi Circus Factory)
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Team

Slow Circus Producer

Yoshie Kris

Arts Producer. With a focus on "the extraordinary within the ordinary," she develops a variety of projects that connect people and communities from diverse fields and cultures, creating new values. In 2010, having lost all lower limb function in her right leg due to osteosarcoma, she encountered the world of disability welfare services, and following year established Slow Label. Stage advisor for Flaghandover in Rio Closing. Tokyo2020 Paralympic & Closing ceremonies.

Slow Circus director

Keisuke Kanai

Circus Artist. He started street performance when he was a junior high school student. As an overseas trainee of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, he was the first Japanese to go to the French National Circus School (CNAC). After graduating, a two-year European tour at the circus directed by Philippe Decouflé. After that, founded the French Contemporary Circus Company and performed in 35 countries around the world. Returned to Japan in 2009. Slow Label Performing Director since 2015. Circus director for Tokyo2020 Paralympic Opening ceremonies.

various Specialists are participating Slow Circus

Kaori Hirooka

Access cordinator
Nurse

Ayaka Suzuki

Accompanist
Dance Artist

Shinji Matsushita

Physical trainer
Occupational therapist

KamiEri

Deaf Pole Dancer

Support

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