Author: machaon2215

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Butoh Contemporary dance Japanese tradition

Ballet x butoh x kabuki : A dance remembered in Tohno

From December 26 to December 28, the contemporary dance company of K-Ballet, Opto, associated with the famous butoh dancer, Akaji Maro and the French-Japanese kabuki wonderboy Onoe will premiere A dance remember in Tohno in Brillia hall (Ikebukuro). Revolving around a mythical young kamikaze and its pains, performed by the company who enchanted us with their Petit collection in 2022, and 2 great individuals, this is a show not to be missed – as of Dec.18, there were still places available.
For more information there is a great article in Japan Times here

Categories
Contemporary dance

Nowhere

MowiMowi, a young contemporary dance company, will perform in Setagaya Public Theatre on December 19-21. Supported by the Next Generation program of Theatre Tram, their energetic dance, anchored in Japan latest generation, will intrigue you. Based on the concept of “liminal space,” which has spread from internet culture, the work depicts the connection between people and ambiguous places that are “neither here nor there.” Moto Takahashi the founder and choregrapher of the company, will also dance at Yokohama Dance Collection (on December 6 and 7).

Categories
Dance English subtitles Japanese tradition Theater

Launch of new festival for Traditional Performing Arts in Tokyo

The Meetup for Edo-Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts will take place from January to March 2026. This new festival focuses on Performing arts originating from the 14th century, like Noh, Kyogen, Gagaku, to more modern forms such as Japanese traditional dance or popular street arts and folkloric customs, covering theater, music and dance. The programme is rich and diverse, and inclusive of Non-Japanese figures, both with an accessible website and linguistic support for most performances. Even for those most attracted to new performing arts forms, it is a chance to have a glimpse into tradition and enrich the perception of the contemporary scene. Spread over Tokyo, it will offer glimpses of the various places which accomodate tradition in the city.

Categories
Japanese tradition

Bunraku, puppet theater for amateurs and beginners

The National Theatre presents at the TMT a Bunraku performance for beginners with English subtitles, from December 4th to December 18th, in Ikebukuro. The program will feature 2 plays, Manzai and Kokusen Ya Kassen, and in-between will deliver explanations on Bunraku, moves, specificities, and how to enjoy it.

For more spectacles in the months to come :
– Tokyo stages from October to December
– Tokyo stages 2026, January to March
And for Japanese traditional performing arts
– Enjoying Japan traditional performing arts in Tokyo and beyond

Categories
Contemporary dance

North Korea Dance by Eun-Me Ahn

On December 8th, YPAM showcases North Korea Dance, a work from 2018, at the time Eun-Me Ahn, the famous South Korean choregrapher, became an associated artiste of the Théâtre de la Ville de Paris. She created her choregraphy considering the customs of neighbouring North Korea. While moves from public ceremonies, or famous soldier footsteps are part of the show, it is a bridge between the two countries, but also a remembrance of potentially phasing out South Korean traditions – indeed, the isolation of Pyeongyang also accounts for holding to the past. It will be a premiere in Japan, and a very exciting show from YPAM.
(Not to miss either, from December 5 to 7, the auto-choreo-biographical Jerome Bel , interpreted by Takao Kawaguchi).

Categories
Japanese tradition Theater

Unfulfilled ghost and monster, contemporary musical theater with Noh background

From February 3 to March 1st, KAAT presents a new release of Tokichi Okada Unfulfilled Ghost and Monster. A musical drama referring and employing Noh form, this is an update of Okada‘s original work created at KAAT already in 2021. As in his latest work, Dance Juror’s dance, the director and playwright incorporates other performing arts in his work, in this case he enhances further his play with music. Although the play will be performed in Japanese only, according to existing information, it will for sure be one of the remarkable plays in 2026, and definitely worth attending. Tickets will be on sale from November 23.

For other spectacles, check here for end of 2025, and here for first quarter of 2026.

Categories
Theater

Murakami Haruki Hard-boiled wonderland at the theatre

The famous novel from Haruki Murakami, Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world, is taken to the the stage under the direction of the French choregrapher Philippe Decoufle. It will play in Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, from January 10 to February 1st.
The play will be all in Japanese, in contrast with The confessions of a Monkey which was played partly in English, but it will be worth for Murakami’s fans who will have already read the novel, even with not full Japanese skills, and are ready to pay for the somewhat expensive tickets. Information available here.

Categories
Theater

Greetings from the edge of the earth II

Suzuki Company of Toga will be playing in Kichijoji from December 12 to December 21. The second episode of the famous work Tadashi Suzuki, director and playwright who contributed so much to exchanges between the Japanese and international theater world, will be performed in the capital. A regular feature of the Scot Summer Season, this is a unique chance to have a glimpse of this works without having the chance to travel to Toga. It will be held in Japanese, as long as we can judge, but is a must-see in the contemporary theatre scene. See also the succinct leaflet in English and a presentation of the play in Japanese. This play is mythical, like a unicorn, but nobody has seen a unicorn yet everybody can describe one. Built on the shoulders of King Lear, this tragedy authored by Tadashi Suzuki stems from the observation of a sick world inhabited by sick people. Will there be hope at the edge ?

About Tadashi Suzuki (mostly in French)

Categories
English subtitles Theater

Full model change

YPAM proposes as each year Japanese theatre with English subtitles. Full Model Change is a dark comedy where members of the society have to develop their Happiness Score, happiness having been transformed into a commodity. In a society where we are ourselves subject to scoring, evaluation, and a strive to perform and show our liveliness, this is a great reflexion.

Categories
Dance

Shibuya Street Dance Week

On November 22, SSDW 2025 will launch. Yoyogi Koen will be the theatre of street dance contests, breaking contests and battle parks, a thrilling experience for both young and less young ones. To be noted, candidates can register for some competitions until November 19, but the website seems to be very Japanese.
https://streetdanceweek.jp/