Reflecting on Butoh’s avant-garde spirit, have you ever paused to consider a theater dedicated solely to this unique art form? That place exists and it is the KYOTO BUTOH-KAN. Let me tell you about it. KYOTO BUTOH-KAN is not just a theater. It is a portal into a world of raw emotion and visceral expression.
KYOTO BUTOH-KAN opened its doors on July 7, 2016. It was designed as the world’s first theater dedicated to Butoh dance. This small space is found in a converted kura. Kura are traditional Japanese storehouses in Kyoto’s Nakagyo-ku district. The building dates back to 1862. It remarkably survived the Hamaguri Rebellion’s fires. This makes it a historical treasure.
The KYOTO BUTOH-KAN offers an intimate experience. Seating is limited to a maximum of nine people. This ensures that each performance is personal. The audience sits on zabuton cushions on tatami mats. This arrangement blurs the line between spectator and performer. It draws you directly into the dance’s energy.
Ima Tenko inaugurated the KYOTO BUTOH-KAN with her solo show “Hisoku.” Her performance featured shamisen players. In February 2017, Masami Yurabe presented “Underworld Flower”. September 2017 saw the opening of “Antigraviton, Lovely Face” by Fukurozaka Yasuo.
KYOTO BUTOH-KAN aims to nurture new talent. Producer Keito Kohara envisions it as a space to pass Butoh to future generations. The building itself is a work of art. Its earth and plaster walls resonate with history.
Look for the munefuda affixed to the kura’s ridgepole. Munefuda are plaques that record important events of a building. Nyojitsu Nisso inscribed this munefuda in the Lotus Sutra Mandala style. It was intended to avert fires and prevent disaster.
Butoh was born in Japan in the late 1950s. It challenges conventional dance aesthetics. KYOTO BUTOH-KAN embodies this spirit. It welcomes those seeking a profound artistic experience. KYOTO BUTOH-KAN offers three different performances each week. Each tells a unique story through Butoh dance.
Ima Tenko’s “Hisoku” explores water. Masami Yurabe’s “Underworld Flower” contemplates life’s fleeting nature. Fukurozaka Yasuo’s “Antigraviton, Lovely Face” imagines the body as antimatter.
KYOTO BUTOH-KAN stands as a testament to Butoh’s enduring appeal. It is a place where ancient tradition meets avant-garde expression. As you leave the KYOTO BUTOH-KAN, consider the experience you just witnessed. The intimate setting and the dancers’ raw emotion will leave you with much to ponder. This small theater preserves and evolves Butoh. Its existence ensures this art form continues to inspire.