Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2013

Veteran butoh dancer Tenmetsu will perform a new piece inspired by Shuji Terayama as part of a festival dedicated to the legendary avant-garde playwright and director. A prolific writer, director and photographer, Terayama produced almost 200 works and during a career cut short at age 48. His surrealist output influenced a generation of Japanese creatives, and is now being given a new look at a festival at the Za Koenji theater. Tenmetsu is a butoh dancer with a long history of unique solo works. Miminashi Houichi translates roughly to “Earless Houichi” and uses a motif from Terayama’s Jashumon (“Gate of the Heretics”) about a man who sets off in search of his missing ear.

Samsa Asagaya, Sep 7, ¥2,900 (adv)/ ¥3,200 (door). Nearest stn: Asagaya. Tel: 03-5327-7640. www.laputa-jp.com/zamza