We just released our list of recommended theater plays, contemporary dance shows, ballets, and so on, for the months of July, August and September 2026.
This is a first draft, and it will get richer as new programs are publicized – stay tuned.
Category: Butoh
For its next performance, Dairakudakan, Japan oldest Butoh company in activity, will be flipping through the pages of The Book of the Dead. Whether it is the Bardo Thödol, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, or the Egyptian one, or from another one I ignore, remains open – and we probably will have no hint until the Premiere, on July 2nd. For her choregraphy, Naomi Muku will be directing 10 dancers from the troupe, including Yang Jongye and Sakazume Kenta, who directed some of the latest works of the company, the remarkable Rite of Spring for the former, and the intriguing Erosion/Shinshoku for the latter. Hopefully the narrative thread will be as strong as for the Rite, leading us through this new piece of work. It must be noted that this time, the performance will take place not in Kochuten, the company’s own space with its fifty seats, but in Za Koenji 1. Let us discover butoh further and fill the 230 seats of the venue, let us all join this adventure, from July 2nd to July 5th.
Reservations will have 2 channels, one through the theater, and one through Dairakudakan site – for English speakers, I definetely recommend to use Dairakudakan form, which will be easier.
For Koenji Bikkuri Daidogei festival, Wakaba Coffee, in association with Wozme and Temmetsu, will be performing 2 butoh pieces, including a special remix version of Anthropophagy ball. The performances, which will take place from 1pm to 2pm and from 3 pm to 4 pm at Secion Suginami will be free of charge (free willing contribution welcome). Do not hesitate to have a try and enjoy fresh butoh in Koenji on April 24 and 25.
(And you can enjoy juggling in the same place after or before)
For Daidogei timetable
For Wakaba Coffee
An article on Wozme
Categories
Akaji Maro’s alter ego suits Bach
Eric Maria Couturier will play the cello and inspire renowned Akaji Maro butoh dancer in his Kichijoji laird. In the tracks of the Alter Ego performance in Nanterre, where the famous Intercomporain orchester member and Paris conservatoire professor was playing Bach’s solo cello suites, while Akaji Maro was interpreting his music through his art of butoh, the duet will be on stage in Kochuten on April 7 and 8. For both music lovers and butoh / contemporary dance fans, it will be a delightful double solo to be enjoyed in the undergrounds of Kichijoji.
Information for booking here. Do not miss it. Kochuten acoustics might not be as good as Paris (or Tokyo) famous halls, but this will be an emotional performance, in a close call.
Sankai Juku dancer and founding member Semimaru will have a butoh workshop in Toyama prefecture in August 2026, a week of training and co-creation leading in a one time performance and show at the end of the session. A unique chance to enjoy Japan, butoh, and nature.
If you are not ready for such an experience, you still have a chance to learn butoh at the regular workshops of Wakaba Kohei around Tokyo. The choregrapher and butoh dancer holds 2 to 3 workshops a month, very affordable, open to newcomers, in a great atmosphere. Could be a good mise-en-bouche before daring to join Sankai Juku retreat… In March, trainings on the 7th, 19th and 29th, including a session of butoh inspired contemporary dance (and on February 21st).
Following the brilliant Rite of spring from Jongye YANG, Dairakudakan company will perform from March 2nd to March 8th Shinshoku, a new work for 7 dancers choregraphed by Kenta SAKAZUME. Is the title Erosion / 侵食 or is it about a new color /新色 stemming from the steps ? Just Katakana characters, could be something else, and I do not know what/who is hanging in the bag – at this stage no further information is available, but we shall be looking forward to going to Kochuten in Kichijoji again for a new experience.
Tickets will go on sale on January 31st.
For some thoughts about Jongye YANG Rite of spring, here.
For more on butoh, there.
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
Dairakudakan presents a one-man butoh performance by Konan AMOKU / Conan Amok, Multilayered body animal, from December 11 to December 14th, in Kichijoji, Tokyo. Kochuten, the paradise in a jar, the 50-seats venue of the oldest existing butoh company (est.1972), has re-started their regular spectacles / producings. After Jongye YANG Rite of spring all female Dairakudakan members sold-out performances in November, and before Shinshoku (March 2-8), it is a perfect time to taste Butoh pieces blessed by Akaji MARO, who is acting as artistic director for this piece. For more information on Dairakudakan / Kochuten programs, and on Butoh in 2025 and beyond.
Other recommended performing arts spectacles until end of the year : From October to December
And for the first quarter 2026
Wakaba Coffee presents a triple staged show on December 26 and 27, featuring Wakaba Coffee butoh pair, obviously, a poetic juggling performance by Yosuke Meguro – who was invited to present his Life Work in Setagaya Public Theater earlier this year -, and contemporary dance by Manami and Mamiko Hosokawa. A triple bill followed by a coffee, for an exclusive event. Wakaba’s butoh pieces are always intriguing, often entertaining, and this will be a great combination, no doubt. In Nakano.
More info on butoh in Tokyo in 2025.
On November 14/16, butoh meets pro-wrestling in an old factory in Sumida-ku. Butoh dancers Emiko Agatsuma and Tomoshi Shioya share a choregraphy with wrestlers. This session inscribes itself in the Hokusai butoh series in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, which already featured such butoh dancers as Wakaba and Kana Kitty.
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