Tamiyo Kusakari has been on her toes since the age of 8. Japan's most treasured ballerina virtually grew up in her toe shoes, and spent her youth dancing on one stage after another. Now, at the age of 41, she continues to enthrall legions of fans with the skill and eloquence of her craft.
To see her on stage is a privilege, but to see her dance on the big screen was a whole other experience, as fans of the 1996 smash hit movie "Shall We Dance?" will attest.
Director Masayuki Suoh met and then wooed leading lady Kusakari on set because, as he said later in a press conference: "She was the first person I ever came across who could look beautiful just standing there. Her posture was striking.''