Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2011

Nobuyoshi Araki

Japan’s premier venue for the avant-garde dance form butoh, the Setagaya Public Theater, hosts the latest piece from Akaji Maro, leader of the venerable Dairakudakan. Maro calls Ash-man a story of “perishing and rebirth,” while his own life story and heavy tobacco habit provide the backdrop. Founding Dairakudakan in 1972, the 68-year-old Maro is renowned in dance circles for his theatrical approach to butoh. The wider public will recognize his bald dome and baleful gaze from the original Kill Bill, in which he played yakuza kingpin Boss Ozawa.

Ash-man
Mar 17-19, 7:30pm; 20-21, 3pm, ¥3,000-¥5,000. Setagaya Public Theater, Sangenjaya. Tel: 03-5432-1526.