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

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).

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.

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, specifities, and how to enjoy it.

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.

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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.