Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

MOSCOW, Russia - Maya Plisetskaya, formerly the prima ballerina of Russia's Bolshoi Theater for many years, gives a speech in Moscow on Feb. 28, 2012, wearing the medal, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The Japanese Embassy in Moscow held a ceremony to bestow the honor on her in recognition of her contributions to the development of ballet in Japan.

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

MOSCOW, Russia - Maya Plisetskaya (L), formerly the prima ballerina of Russia's Bolshoi Theater for many years, gives a speech in Moscow on Feb. 28, 2012, wearing the medal, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The Japanese Embassy in Moscow held a ceremony to bestow the honor on her in recognition of her contributions to the development of ballet in Japan. To the right are Japanese Ambassador to Russia Chikahito Harada and his wife.

Russian ballet dancer Plisetskaya choreographs in Japan

Russian ballet dancer Plisetskaya choreographs in Japan

TAKARAZUKA, Japan - Noted Russian ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya (front) choreographs a musical for Japan's Takarazuka Revue troupe in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, on July 3. Plisetskaya visited Japan at the request of the troupe.

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

MOSCOW, Russia - Maya Plisetskaya (L), formerly the prima ballerina of Russia's Bolshoi Theater for many years, gives a speech in Moscow on Feb. 28, 2012, wearing the medal, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The Japanese Embassy in Moscow held a ceremony to bestow the honor on her in recognition of her contributions to the development of ballet in Japan. To the right are Japanese Ambassador to Russia Chikahito Harada and his wife. (Kyodo)

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

Russian ballerina Plisetskaya

MOSCOW, Russia - Maya Plisetskaya, formerly the prima ballerina of Russia's Bolshoi Theater for many years, gives a speech in Moscow on Feb. 28, 2012, wearing the medal, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The Japanese Embassy in Moscow held a ceremony to bestow the honor on her in recognition of her contributions to the development of ballet in Japan. (Kyodo)

Russian ballet dancer Plisetskaya choreographs in Japan

Russian ballet dancer Plisetskaya choreographs in Japan

TAKARAZUKA, Japan - Noted Russian ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya (front) choreographs a musical for Japan's Takarazuka Revue troupe in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, on July 3. Plisetskaya visited Japan at the request of the troupe. (Kyodo)