Sankai Juku: TOTEM—Void and Height

Ushio Amagatsu founded Sankai Juku in Tokyo in 1975 and developed a refined “second-generation” butoh that he described as a dialogue with gravity: synchronizing with it rather than escaping it. From 1980 onward, the company toured the world, becoming a fixture at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, which co-produced many of its works, and performing in more than forty countries. Amagatsu directed, choreographed, and designed each piece. TOTEM, his last, was completed shortly before his death in March 2024 and is danced by the company he shaped over the course of half a century.

Born in Yokosuka,Japan in 1949 and founded Butoh company Sankai Juku in 1975.

He created Amagatsu Sho (1977), Kinkan Shonen (1978), Sholiba (1979) before the first world tour i 1980. Since 1981, France and The Theatre de la Ville,Paris has become his places for creation and work and that year he created Bakki for Festival d’Avignon. The Theatre de la Ville,Paris he has created 14 productions since 1982.

Amagatsu also works independently outside Sankai Juku. In 1988 he created “Fushi” on the invitation of Jacob’s Pillow Foundation, in the U.S., with music by Philip Glass. In 1989, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Spiral Hall in Tokyo where he directed “Apocalypse” (1989), and “Fifth-V” (1990). In February 1997, he directed “Bluebeard’s Castle” by Bartok conducted by Peter Eotvos at Tokyo International Forum. In March 1998, at Opera National de Lyon, France, he directed Peter EOTVOS’s opera “Three Sisters” (world premiere), which received 
“Prix du Syndicat National de la Critique, France.” “Three Sisters” has been seen in the 2001-2002 season at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, at Theatre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels at Opera National de Lyon, and at Wiener Festwochen 2002 in Austria.  In March 2008, Amagatsu directed “Lady Sarashina,” Peter EOTVOS’s new opera at Opera National de Lyon (world premiere). “Lady Sarashina” again received “Prix du Syndicat National de la Critique, France” and it was seen in Opera Comique in February 2009 and in Teatr Wielki, Polish National Opera, in Warsaw in April 2013.

Amagatsu has also presided on the jury of International Choreographic Competition of National  Academy of Dance, Italy (2011), and the Jury of the International Meeting of Dance of Bagnolet (1992). Awards and merits include the Purple-Ribbon Medal by the Japanese government (2011), Geijyutsu Sensho  Prize (Art Encouragement Prize) by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology  (2004). Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Letters by French Cultural Ministry (1992). Commandeur de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French Cultural Ministry (2014).

Books include “Ushio Amagatsu, des rivages d’enfance au buto de Sankai Juku” (Biography dictated by Kyoko Iwaki, Actes Sud, 2013, France). “Dilogue avec la Gravite”(Actes Sud, 2000, France).