Nzinga Kyoto 11th Anniversary Event “Movement, Inspiration, and Transformation” May 2-5 2026
- Grupo Nzinga Kyoto
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Nzinga Kyoto 11th Anniversary Event
“Movement, Inspiration, and Transformation”
Capoeira Angola Nzinga Kyoto began its activities in 2015, and thanks to your support, we are celebrating our 11th anniversary this year. We have been able to come this far thanks to the masters and those who came before us, who have preserved and passed down Capoeira. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude.
To mark this milestone, we will hold a commemorative event as a token of our appreciation to everyone who has supported us. We hope this will be an opportunity to share with you what we have carefully cultivated over the past 11 years. The theme of this event is “Movement, Inspiration, and Transformation.”
The sensations that arise from movement, the inspiration that expands from there, and the gradual transformation of ourselves and our relationships.
Over these few days, rather than simply experiencing, we invite you to take time to reflect on yourself and share moments and learning with others, allowing these changes and insights to deepen.
Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of experience. We look forward to sharing this time with you.
On the day of the event, people of all ages—from children to adults—as well as beginners can join with confidence. Whether you have been involved with Nzinga Kyoto before or are completely new, please feel free to come and join us.
All members of the group look forward to welcoming you.
Capoeira Angola Group Nzinga Kyoto
Date
May 2–5, 2026 (4 days)
Venue
May 2-4:
May5:
Organizer
Capoeira Angola Group Nzinga Kyoto
May 2 (Sat) / Sakyo Seibu Ikiiki Center
17:30–19:30 Roda
May 3 (Sun) / Sakyo Seibu Ikiiki Center
10:00–10:30 Doors Open / Registration
10:30–12:00 Workshop ① / Contramestre Matte
12:00–13:30 Kids Workshop ② + Fun Gathering & Potluck Lunch
12:00–13:30 Adults Break / Lunch
13:30–15:00 Workshop ③ / Mestre Kosuke
15:10–16:40 Workshop ④ / Talk Session: “The Diversity of Capoeira”with Contramestre Matte & Mestre Kosuke
May 4 (Mon) / Sakyo Seibu Ikiiki Center
10:00–10:30 Doors Open / Registration
10:30–12:00 Workshop ⑤ / Instrutoras Nonoko and Honoka
12:00–13:30 Kids Workshop ⑥ + Fun Gathering & Potluck Lunch
12:00–13:30 Adults Break / Lunch
13:30–15:00 Workshop ⑦ / Butoh (dance) by Ima Teiko
15:10–16:40 Workshop ⑧ / Talk Session:“What do we gain from continuing to learn Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian culture)?”with Satomi Shimogo & Mestre Kosuke
17:00–19:00 Roda – Roda de Capoeira Angola
May 5 (Tue) / Kamogawa (Kamo river)
14:00–16:00 Outdoor Roda (Kids & Adults)
Roda de Capoeira Angola by the Kamogawa River
Location: Northeast wooden deck of Kojin Bridge
Cancelled in case of rain
16:00– Potluck Picnic
Instructors
Tenko Ima
Butoh Dancer
Joined the Butoh group Hakutora-sha (1980–1994).Founded the Butoh company Kiraza in 2000.
From 2007 to 2016, presented a series of performances at the former Gojo Rakuen Kaburenjo Theater.
In 2018, participated in the Nzinga Kyoto event “GINGA NZINGA III ” with both a performance and a discussion.
In 2020, received the Excellence Award at the Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival for the performance “Diamond.”Through avant-garde Butoh rooted in the Japanese concept of tamafuri (the activation of life force), she continues to explore and develop a unique artistic expression.
Satomi Shimogo
Born in Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture), currently based in Kamogawa (Chiba Prefecture).
In the early 1990s, she lived for two years in a low-income community on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil, where she volunteered in grassroots educational initiatives. This experience led her to continue working closely with Brazil.
Her work focuses on urban marginalized communities such as favela residents, Indigenous peoples in the Amazon, and small-scale farmers. She is engaged in journalism, writing, and the planning and production of television news and documentary programs.
She views grassroots social movements led by marginalized communities in Brazil as a “school of democracy,” offering perspectives to reflect on society in Japan.
Since 2005, she has lived in a rural farming area in southern Boso Peninsula, practicing self-sufficient agriculture and satoyama conservation. She has also been actively involved for nine years in opposition to the Kamogawa mega-solar project, one of Japan’s largest forest-destructive solar developments.
Author and co-author of several books including:125 Proposals for the Future of the Earth,Thinking About Peace,The COVID Crisis and Future Choices,The Amazon: Forest of Resistance and Creation,and Social Thought in Brazil.
Contramestre Matte Leão (Yuichi Ikezaki)
GUETO CAPOEIRA JAPÃO
Started Capoeira in Tokyo in 1998.Promoted to Contramestre in 2010.
After returning to his hometown Ishikawa, he has taught more than 4,000 students, drawing on his experience as a fitness studio instructor.
He pioneered children’s Capoeira classes in Japan and has also worked as a physical education instructor in kindergartens.
He introduced Capoeira into high school curricula—the first such initiative in Japan—and continues to promote Capoeira through education.
Certified as an instructor in both Brazil and Russia. Invited internationally as a performer, judge, and guest instructor (Taiwan, Korea, Ecuador, etc.). Has visited Brazil around 20 times.
Appeared on numerous TV programs including Sukkiri, and collaborated with the manga Batuque.
Leads GUETO Capoeira Japan, active in 13 cities.
【Nonoko Yamada】
Instrutora Qualidade (Nonoko Yamada)
GUETO Capoeira Niigata Branch
Born in Ishikawa and raised in Joetsu, she began Capoeira at an early age under her mother, who is also an instructor.
Alongside Capoeira, she studied choir and piano in elementary school, developing a strong connection between music and movement.
After moving to Kanazawa, she gained extensive performance experience and participated in events nationwide.
Placed second in the Asian Student Capoeira Championship during her final year of high school.
Later moved to Niigata for university and now teaches at the Niigata branch.Promoted to Monitora in 2021 and Instrutora in 2024.
Known for her powerful style and strong singing voice, she brings energy and joy to everyone around her.
【Honoka Tsuji】
Instrutora Pluma (Honoka Tsuji)
GUETO Capoeira Kanazawa Branch
Started Capoeira at age 7 under Yuichi Ikezaki in Nomi City.
Won the first championship in elementary school and earned the highest-level red belt for her age group.
In junior high, selected as a prefectural handball player; in high school, continued Capoeira while playing tennis.
Attended university in Nagoya and supported classes there. Promoted to Monitora in 2022.
Studied abroad in Taipei in 2023, engaging with the Capoeira community in Taiwan.
Returned to Ishikawa in 2024 and currently teaches at GUETO Kanazawa.Promoted to Instrutora in 2025.
Mestre Kosuke (Kosuke Arakawa)
Grupo Nzinga de Capoeira Angola Kyoto & Osaka
Founded Nzinga Kyoto in 2015.Currently teaches Capoeira Angola to both children and adults in Kyoto and Osaka, while also focusing on instructor development.
In July 2025, he was awarded the title of Mestre in São Paulo, Brazil.
Fee
All workshops are open to both children and adults.
1 Workshop (1 session)
Adults: ¥2,000
Infants & Children (junior high school and under): ¥500
Parent & Child: ¥1,000
If more than one child participates with a parent, the second child onward will be charged the child fee.
2 Workshops (2 sessions)
Adults: ¥3,500
Infants & Children (junior high school and under): ¥1,000
Parent & Child: ¥1,500
Full Workshop Pass (1 day)
Adults: ¥5,000
Infants & Children (junior high school and under): ¥1,500
Parent & Child: ¥2,500
Roda Participation & Spectating
Free
Registration, Contact, Payment
Send us a message through the Contact Page to let us know of your participation.
Notes / Important Information
There are no trash bins at the venue. Please take your garbage home with you.
If you are feeling unwell, please refrain from participating.
As many children will be present, please do not upload photos or videos online without permission.
Parents may participate in workshops together with young children.
Please wear Capoeira attire or comfortable clothing suitable for movement, and bring indoor shoes.
Watching the Roda is free of charge.
Family members or accompanying persons (in limited numbers) may observe the workshops.
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