■Hiromi Hosokawa Profile

Supervisor of Tokyo Mime City
Representative of Tokyo Mime College

Japan Pantomime Association Officer
Tokyo University of Art and Design 2009~2022

Overseas trainees Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2001~2002
Tokyo Polytechnic University(Part-time lecturer)2021~
Representative of the artist group "Mime Link" that connects pantomime and society

Lecturer,「Yes4Future」2013-2014 5times
(The program for developing the educational network in civil society for improving)

She mastered Pantomime under Pantomimist, Takao Namiki at "Tokyo Institute of mime," belonged to "Mime Troup Kikyu-za" organized by Mr. Namiki.
She experienced numbers of performances throughout Japan. She is actively working in a variety of genres, such as serving as a lecturer in "Dancin' Ebisu studio."

In 2001, through the program of the Agency for Cultural Affairs as an overseas trainee, she blushed up her skill in the American Mime Theater in NY, under Paul J, Curtis.

In 2003, after returning from NY, she has held numbers of workshops in various styles to tell the general public of potential splendor of pantomime.

She especially works hard for developing younger generation and the inheritance of Takao Namiki’s works.

In 2004, she opened mime training institution, "TOKYO mime College" and expanded development training of the younger generation.

Since 2007, she appointed herself for "Pantomime missionary Sister Hiromi" and organized a continuous artists’ performance "Pantomime Week".

In 2012, the total organization of the event reached 6times.

Public showcase "Sakutto pantomime" has been held every month.

3rd "Sakutto mime festival" was held in 2011.

Currently, she has increased the chance of stage performance of pantomime, and actively working day and night for sensitizing whole society of importance of pantomime!

Since 2009, she has revived "Mime Troop ★ Grand balloon", which devote for performances and inheritance of works of Takao Namiki to work internationally.
She participated to "Mime Fayetteville Stay Istanbul International Bar" in 2012 and performance tour in Bali, January 2013. She was also invited performances at "Taiwan Puppet Festival" in 2013 and 2014.

She established Studio Eva in Tokyo in 2014.
In 2018, she gave a solo pantomime performance in Mumbai, India, and in 2019, she gave a workshop and stage performance at the "India International Mime Festival" in Kolkata, India.

Since 2020, in the COVID-19 pandemic,she has been working on the online delivery of the stage and the online delivery of pantomime lessons, and has continued her activities.
●Book “Pantomime for all”

●DVD“Pantomime lesson”

◆photo cooperation：Masami Gan Iwafune

Mime brings peace to the world and happiness to the elderly in Japan's aging society.

Hello, everyone. I am Hiromi Hosokawa, a mime artist and teacher based in Tokyo, Japan. I founded Tokyo Mime College (TMC) in 2004, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, a diverse range of people, from working adults and aspiring actors/entertainers to housewives and retired elderly, have studied with me. Although mime has yet to gain widespread popularity in Japan, those who are drawn to it have remained actively involved for many years.

I discovered the art of mime during my studies while pursuing a career in theatrical acting. When I saw my mentor Takao Namiki's 45-minute mime piece titled "Rhapsody," I was deeply moved. It contained no spoken words or dramatic storyline, nor did it rely on props or stage sets. Yet, through gestures and movements, it evoked a changing ambiance and scenery, touching my heart and senses. "How can he express so much without words? I want to convey sentiments like him!" I thought to myself, and from then on, I immersed myself in the world of mime.

Learning mime techniques and performing before audiences significantly enhanced my expressive abilities, unlocking hidden potential and allowing me to experience the richness of life. Mime has profoundly shaped my life, for which I am eternally grateful.

In my early days, mime was largely unfamiliar to the Japanese public. In 2007, I took on the role of a mime evangelist, becoming known as Sister Hiromi, to spread the joy of mime, touching hearts and bringing smiles to faces, one person at a time. I continued this mission and in 2019, elevated my status to that of a "Super Mime Evangelist." I firmly believe that mime has the power to transform lives for the better and contribute to global peace. I strive to convey this message to as many people as possible, emphasizing the following points:

1. Mime promotes peace:

Mime performances and spectating stimulate the imagination, fostering empathy and compassion, qualities essential for peace in today's conflict-laden world.

2. Mime is eco-friendly:

Mime requires no tools or props, relying solely on the body for expression. It is environmentally friendly, generating no noise or waste.

3. Mime transcends language barriers:

As a nonverbal form of expression, mime can bridge linguistic and cultural gaps, enabling shared experiences across diverse audiences and performers worldwide.

4. Mime promotes health and societal well-being:

Practicing mime enhances physical health and vitality, reducing medical dependency and fostering a vibrant, fulfilling life.

5. After all, mime is just plain fun and adds a sparkle to life!
Engaging with mime offers unique perspectives and experiences, enriching lives and adding vibrancy to daily existence.

The latter points are particularly relevant in Japan's aging society, where a growing number of individuals are expected to live beyond 100 years. In fact, among the students at TMC, many are currently in their 50s and 60s, with some having begun studying mime after retiring. While physical limitations may exist, their life experiences endow them with rich storytelling abilities and unique expressive qualities.

As they discover the joy of movement and expression, they radiate newfound vitality. Their enthusiasm is palpable, and it's an honor to witness their transformation.

I firmly believe that mime has much to offer in addressing rising nursing care costs and combating depression among the elderly and their caregivers. It has the potential to contribute significantly to societal well-being and global harmony by unlocking inherent potential, fostering health, compassion, and enjoyment of life.

I remain committed to sharing this message worldwide and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to showcase my work across different continents.

I look forward to meeting you all someday.
 




Hiromi Hosokawa
Representative of Tokyo Mime City