Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2012

Last March 11, storied butoh troupe Dairakudakan was in its final rehearsals for the March 17 debut of Ash Man. Shaken by the triple catastrophe, director Akaji Maro—known to worldwide audiences as Boss Ozawa from Kill Bill—says the performances became a prayer for the souls of the fallen. Having had the chance to meditate on the disaster for a year, Maro has come up with his latest piece Virus, which he calls a “hearty laugh” at the gods of destruction. All 22 dancers from his Kichijoji-based outfit will perform.

Setagaya Public Theater, Jul 5-8 (listing).