In the high-stakes world of classical Chinese dance, where the curtain rises on millennia of history and the physical demands rival those of elite athletics, motivation is often assumed to be a loud, driving force. Yet for Kenji Kobayashi, a Principal Dancer with Shen Yun Performing Arts, the engine of his artistry is fueled by a quiet, poignant Japanese phrase: “Ganbatte kudasai.”
Translated simply, it means “keep going” or “do your best.” But in the context of Kobayashi’s life, these words are not merely a cheerleader’s chant; they are a mantra of survival, deeply rooted in a childhood memory that reshaped his understanding of endurance.
The Weight of Memory
The origin of Kobayashi’s resilience traces back to a singular, harrowing moment when he was just eight years old. It was then that he found himself in a desperate situation, attempting to rescue his grandmother. The details of the event are etched in the silence of his past, but the emotional imprint is unmistakable.
At an age when most children are shielded from the fragility of life, Kobayashi was confronted with it head-on. The trauma of that day—and the subsequent loss—could have been a crushing weight. Instead, it became the crucible for his character. The spirit of ganbatte took hold not as a choice, but as a necessity. It was the internal command to move forward when standing still was too painful, to find strength in vulnerability.
Transmuting Pain into Grace
This early lesson in fortitude found its ultimate expression on the stage. Classical Chinese dance is an art form that demands absolute precision; it is a discipline where the spiritual bearing of the dancer is as visible as their technique. For Kobayashi, the rigorous training required to master “bearing” (yun)—the inner emotional expression connected to every movement—resonated with his personal history.
The journey of a Shen Yun artist is one of constant refinement. Based in New York, the company is known for its revival of 5,000 years of civilization—a culture largely lost or suppressed in modern China. To portray celestial kings, generals, and scholars requires more than flexibility; it requires a depth of character that cannot be faked.
When Kobayashi dances, the audience sees the result of thousands of hours of ganbatte. They see the leaps that defy gravity and the spins that blur the lines of the human form. But beneath the spectacle lies the discipline of the eight-year-old boy who learned that “doing your best” is sometimes the only way to survive the darkness. His pursuit of artistic perfection is, in many ways, a tribute to that resilience.
A Sanctuary of Faith and Freedom
The environment in which Kobayashi thrives is one of rare artistic liberty. Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture is deeply intertwined with spiritual principles, specifically those of Falun Dafa (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance). For many of the company’s artists—some of whom escaped persecution in communist China—this freedom is hard-won.
For Kobayashi, the stage is a sanctuary where personal history and collective heritage merge. The discipline of his faith reinforces the discipline of his dance. The phrase “Ganbatte kudasai” has evolved from a mechanism of coping into a spiritual practice. It is no longer just about enduring pain, but about persisting in the creation of beauty.
Every time the curtain lifts, Kenji Kobayashi is not just performing a routine; he is fulfilling a promise to keep going, to strive for the divine, and to honor the weight of the past by transforming it into art.
