Yoko Morishita, 76, the esteemed prima ballerina and director of the Matsuyama Ballet Company, continues to captivate audiences with a career spanning 73 years. She began ballet at age three due to a doctor's recommendation for her weak health and has never stopped. Morishita spends five to six hours daily in practice, even on her days off, emphasizing that consistent training is crucial for a dancer, famously stating, "If I skip practice for one day, I know it. If I skip for two days, my colleagues know it. If I skip for three days, the audience knows it." She also prioritizes physical care, including daily body maintenance and massage, and takes precautions against illness and injury to prevent any reduction in muscle strength.
Morishita's diet consists of two meals a day: breakfast and dinner. Her breakfast typically includes ham and eggs, one slice of toast, coffee, and seasonal fruits, without special supplements. For dinner, she enjoys a variety of dishes including meat and alcohol, focusing on a balanced intake of meat, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Despite her disciplined routine, she is not overly strict about food, adjusting her intake on performance days to lighter options like a sandwich and chocolate to ensure peak physical condition during performances. She often shares meals with other company members, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
Morishita's commitment extends beyond personal discipline, reflecting a deep-seated mission to use ballet for social good. A Hiroshima native, she was inspired by atomic bomb survivors who encouraged her ballet. This experience instilled in her a desire to bring happiness, hope, and peace through her performances. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, her husband, Tetsutaro Shimizu, choreographed a new version of "Coppélia" to honor victims and promote recovery, with Morishita in the lead. She continues to convey messages of warmth, love, and hope, aiming to make ballet accessible and impactful for all, believing in its power to contribute to a peaceful and beautiful future.
