The ceremony, hosted by the Japan Chapter of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps, was held on February 21, 2026, at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. Officers from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, along with other guests, gathered for a formal evening celebrating history and tradition.
The theme of the 231st Ball was “Samurai.” KATANAYA ICHI, presented a samurai-themed show. We performed an original piece combining kenbu (sword dance) and tate (stage combat) alongside live music by the traditional Japanese instrument group JIN. The performers were Dai Mizuno, Ryohei Kume, Shota Minami, and Asuka Kozaki.
One highlight was a three-person performance inspired by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. The piece portrayed a samurai confronting his own weaknesses and pride. The live taiko drumming and Tsugaru shamisen performance added energy and excitement, giving the audience a fresh and thrilling experience.
We also performed a solo piece called “Kawanakajima,” a tate performance depicting the historic battle between warlords Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin.
During the post-show greeting time, many guests complimented our performance, saying, “That was amazing!” The audience’s enjoyment was clearly felt throughout the venue.
This special event was held under strict security and was limited to invited guests, making it a rare and prestigious opportunity. We are honored to have performed at such a historic ceremony, and it was a highly rewarding experience for our team.
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