Studio Necola / Tokyo Swing Dance Society has been featured on a certain Facebook page that posts articles about spots around Myogadani Station, one of the nearest stations to Studio Necola. This article provides a very concise summary of how Frankie Manning came to Japan in 1998 and how Lindy Hop in Japan got started.
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Studio Necola (Tokyo Swing Dance Society)
Original Japanese text by Shigeru Inatomi, translated into English by Hiro Yamada
When introducing the Myogadani Station area to others on this Facebook page, we often describe it as “a green and leafy school town,” “a cherry blossom hotspot,” “a town of shrines and temples,” or “a place with delicious bread and cakes,” depending on the context. However, this time we have an additional description to add: “The Holy Land of Lindy Hop in Japan!”
For some time, I had been intrigued by a house with a huge cat statue in the back of the parking lot on my way to and from the botanical garden. I thought it was a somewhat unusual and “eerie” place, but it turns out that this is the very “holy site.”
Embarrassingly, when I first heard the term “Lindy Hop,” I had no idea what it was. My first question to Hiro, who runs the Tokyo Swing Dance Society, was, “What is that?” Hiro kindly began by giving me a brief overview of the history of jazz.
Furthermore, Hiro shared the following:
“Swing jazz emerged during the 1920s and 1930s. Lindy Hop was danced extensively to the performances of top swing jazz bands at the Savoy Ballroom, a dance hall that opened in Harlem, New York, in 1926. After World War II, the jazz scene shifted to modern jazz, and the number of people dancing Lindy Hop dramatically decreased. However, a revival occurred across the United States in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, with Neo Swing bands and Lindy Hop becoming closely associated.”
The name “Lindy Hop” is said to be derived from Charles Lindbergh, who successfully completed a nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927. At that time, people filled Manhattan to celebrate Lindbergh’s achievement and triumphant return. Amid the fervor of the crowds, when someone asked, “What is the name of that dance?” a dancer responded with “Lindy Hop!” Thus, the dance came to be known as Lindy Hop.
In the 1930s, Frankie Manning, a prominent dancer at the prestigious Cats’ Corner at the Savoy Ballroom, gained renewed recognition during the 1990s Lindy Hop revival. He emerged once again as a leading ambassador for the dance.
Hiro’s remarkable encounter with Lindy Hop happened in 1997. The nascent internet era played a crucial role in connecting Hiro with the legendary Frankie Manning.
In late 1997, Hiro, who was still an office worker at the time, went on a business trip to Washington, D.C. Having been familiar with “ballroom dance” in Japan, Hiro decided to check out a dance venue in Glen Echo, Maryland, just next door after finishing work. To his surprise, the venue turned out to be a Lindy Hop dance location. Shocked by the dance, Hiro ordered Lindy Hop videos from the U.S. through the internet after returning to Japan. The video he received was Frankie Manning’s instructional video.
Hiro was ahead of the curve, having created a website dedicated to his hobby of ballroom dancing in both Japanese and English. At that time, Frankie Manning was scheduled to travel to Singapore. While researching the first person from Japan to order his instructional video, Frankie’s manager discovered Hiro’s English-language competitive ballroom dance website. This led to the offer for Frankie to stop in Tokyo on his way and teach Lindy Hop.
However, Hiro, who was still an office worker at the time, initially declined the offer, stating that he could not cover the costs for airfare, hotel, honorarium, or party expenses. The Frankie Manning team then suggested consulting with Masahisa Segawa, a well-known jazz critic in Japan. Although Hiro had no prior acquaintance with Segawa, he met with him through the introduction from Frankie’s team. After various discussions, they decided to invite Frankie Manning to Tokyo.
Initially, Hiro was concerned that he might be the only student learning Lindy Hop, and he worried whether there would be enough participants for Frankie’s dance workshop. Despite promoting the event through websites and magazines, Frankie Manning was a major figure who had won a Tony Award in 1989 for his choreography of Lindy Hop. Knowing that they could learn directly from “that Frankie” attracted not only tap dancers and show dancers but also participants from abroad. As a result, the dance school rented in Omotesando was filled with students. This happened in March 1998. Remarkably, it had only been “three months” since Hiro’s initial encounter with Lindy Hop. His initiative and ability to execute such a significant event in such a short time are truly impressive and deserving of admiration.
This led to the creation of the Tokyo Swing Dance Society (TSDS), which is now headquartered at Studio Necola. This year marks its 26th anniversary. At the studio, there is a large panel featuring “FRANKIE MANNING Swingin’ in Tokyo in 1998.”
Since then, Frankie Manning and Masahisa Segawa have served as advisory board members for TSDS. Even now, they continue to provide guidance from beyond. In 2000, to celebrate Frankie Manning’s 86th birthday, a workshop and dance party were held in Tokyo with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Japan. Photos from that event, along with signatures from renowned dancers and messages of gratitude from participants to Hiro, are displayed on the studio’s walls.
When you open the entrance door of Studio Necola, which was established in 2014, and then open another thick door leading to the studio, you will find a 40-square-meter space with comprehensive soundproofing on the ceiling, walls, and floor.
Hiro, who is experienced in amateur radio and skilled in DIY projects, has designed the ventilation system for dancers who perform vigorously for long periods. He is also proficient in piano tuning, lighting, sound, video, computer systems, and camera setup.
Currently, many of the students and dancers at TSDS are from abroad, with visitors coming from nearly every region, including all of Europe, North America, South and Central America, Asia, and Oceania. Among the foreign residents in Tokyo, some travel weekly from the Yokosuka U.S. naval base to attend lessons at the studio. You can read numerous enthusiastic feedbacks from these individuals on the TSDS website.
Here is the URL for the feedback: https://www.impetus.ne.jp/tsdsweb/index.php/feedback-from-the-world/
The bookshelf is filled with jazz books and volumes from Masahisa Segawa. Additionally, Hiro, a cat lover, has collected various cat-themed items. The name “Studio Necola” comes from Hiro’s previous experience of owning two cats, with the original Japanese term “猫達” (Neko Tachi > Neko La > Necola) being adapted into English as “Cats.”
The large cat statue in the parking lot is actually a mailbox created by Len Makabe, an iron sculptor. The large leaf it holds reflects an initial idea to name the studio “CATS & LEAVES,” inspired by the nearby botanical garden.
Hiro invites everyone in the Myogadani area to feel free to drop by, as they hold lessons every day. When swing jazz music starts, it naturally gets your body swinging. You’ll definitely want to try Lindy Hop!
(As of August 15th, 2024)