The project
Inspired by the incredible destiny of an African slave who became the first and only black samurai in Japanese history, Yasuke Kurosan celebrates multiculturalism as a form of self-creation. Exploring the sensitive and aesthetic encounter between Africa and Asia, Smaïl Kanouté has created a hybrid dance between martial arts, African war dance and urban dance.
After a two-year tour of France, which ended in February 2024, the Vivons company presented the show in Dakar and Saint Louis in Senegal, Libreville in Gabon and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. These performances were in response to invitations from the local French Institutes and the French Embassy in Ethiopia.
The performances were divided into two parts. First, Yasuke Kurosan, a choreographic piece at the crossroads of African and Asian cultures, with 7 dancers and a musician. Then, Yasuke Walks - Collection XULY.Bët x Smaïl Kanouté, a fashion show featuring local dancers and musicians in a joint performance.
A graduate of ENSAD (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs), Smail Kanouté is a graphic designer, screen printer, visual artist, dancer and choreographer. An artist with an ebullient creativity, he is enthusiastic about any new formal challenge. He founded the Cie Vivons in 2016 to experiment with his own performative projects. He is part of this young generation that renews visual and aesthetic codes, all disciplines included.
