Kagemi: Beyond the Metaphor of Mirrors

Photo: Jacques Denarnaud

The Butoh masterpiece Kagemi: Beyond the Metaphor of Mirrors is a spellbinding work of otherworldly grace from the great Ushio Amagatsu. The piece plays out as seven strikingly costumed dancers perform seven scenes whose imagery ranges from sand to water to ash to blood. Kagemi’s themes include human beings’ relationship to nature and our place in the world; while its meaning is ultimately ineffable, its impact is undeniable.

Founded by artistic director Ushio Amagatsu in 1975, Sankai Juku is a progressive Butoh dance company from Japan with a storied history of international touring. Butoh, a modern form that originated in post-WWII Japan, encompasses wide variations in style. Its unifying characteristics are strong elements of metaphor and a specific aesthetic. Ushio Amagatsu is one of the most innovative and respected artists in Butoh history. Sankai Juku has performed in more than 40 countries around the world and has premiered a new piece on a constant pace, approximately once every two years, at Paris’ Theatre de la Ville.

This performance is made possible by the W. Ford Schumann ‘50 Endowment for the Arts and the Lipp Family Fund for Performing Artists.

Supported by the Japan Foundation through the Performing Arts JAPAN Program.