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The five Mother Forest dancers in long black hooded coats lean against an old stone wall in a paved courtyard

Art & Design

16 October 2026

The Rebellious Bodies of Butoh

Rebellious Bodies Festival brings Kazuo Ohno’s school of butoh to the UK. With it, it brings the philosophy of spontaneity he imbued in the dance form....

  • Art & Design

    In Conversation with Butoh Master, Mitsuyo Uesugi

    Mitsuyo Uesugi is one of butoh's earliest female s...

    Mitsuyo Uesugi in a pale slip dress and hairnet runs barefoot across a wet outdoor stage at night, holding a rainbow striped umbrella
    Mitsuyo Uesugi is one of butoh's earliest female s...

    Written by: Jonathan Firbank

    15 October 2026
  • Art & Design

    My Neighbour Totoro London Cast: New Backstage Photos

    Danny Kaan's photographs follow Victoria Chen and ...

    Victoria Chen, Steven Nguyen, Chui Yen and Helen Chong laughing together in costume in the wings, with a hooded puppeteer beside them
    Danny Kaan's photographs follow Victoria Chen and ...

    Written by: Simon Martin

    9 October 2026
  • Art & Design

    How the My Neighbour Totoro Stage Show Was Made

    Five Totoro puppets, a 1.9 metre Catbus smile and ...

    Helen Chong as Satsuki and Victoria Chen as Mei wait beside the giant Totoro puppet at a moonlit bus stop in My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
    Five Totoro puppets, a 1.9 metre Catbus smile and ...

    Written by: Simon Martin

    15 September 2026

Japan has long been renowned for its exquisite art and design, both traditional and modern. In our art and design section, we celebrate Japan’s creative brilliance. Explore the rich history of woodblock paintings, architectural masterpieces, and contemporary crafts. Discover how Japan’s art continues to inspire global aesthetics and set trends in design and craftsmanship.

  • Collage of scenes from NODA MAP's -320 Fahrenheit at Sadler's Wells, showing performers in expressive costumes during dramatic ensemble moments, including confrontations, choreography, and emotionally charged solo performances against a minimalist theatrical set.

    NodaMap: -320 Fahrenheit Review

    Why does this bewildering production linger long after the curtain falls? Read how its chaos builds ...

    By: Conor Hodges

    22 July 2026
  • Portrait of Sachiko Nakahara wearing an oversized hoodie and black jacket in a minimalist editorial studio setting, showcasing contemporary Japanese street fashion and modern portrait photography.

    Sachiko Nakahara: Inside the Costumes of Death Note

    See how every costume choice serves the story, why some fan favourites were reworked, and what makes...

    By: Simon Martin

    12 July 2026
My Neighbour Totoro Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, brought to life
on stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company
The family’s move to the countryside,
recreated live on stage
Soot sprites swarming live on stage,
just as you remember them from the film
Joe Hisaishi's iconic score,
performed by a live band and singer
Musicians play from treehouses
above the stage at every performance
Winner of six Olivier Awards
and five WhatsOnStage Awards
The beloved Totoro made real, with puppets
built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Totoro and the Catbus, live Satsuki and Mei, live in London The soot sprites are real Hisaishi's score, live nightly Musicians in the treehouses Award-winning, final months Six Olivier Awards Book your seats From screen to stage Choose your date Book tickets Book tickets Book tickets See Totoro live

More From Our Art & Design Archive

  • Japanese playwright and theatre director Hideki Noda smiling outdoors during an interview.

    Hideki Noda on “wrong science”, and why nuclear weapons, AI and biotech share his stage

    By Simon Martin

    1 July 2026

  • close up of a traditional japanese tea bowl repaired using kintsugi golden lacquer technique highlighting cracks with gold powder inspired by zen buddhist philosophy and wabi sabi aesthetics.

    Kintsugi: The Ancient Japanese Practice Making A Comeback

    By Rachel Willcocks

    24 February 2026

  • A creative graphic design styled as a large postage stamp with scalloped edges. The center features a portrait of director Motoi Miura wearing glasses and a black shirt, with his hands clasped. The background of the "stamp" has horizontal glowing lines, and the overall image is overlaid on a darkened, blurred theatrical stage scene showing ensemble performers.

    Interview: Motoi Miura on Chiten’s The Gambler

    By Simon Martin

    12 January 2026

  • Kento Senga stands in front of his colourful FiNGAiSM artwork at the Saatchi Gallery in London, where his solo exhibition marks the European debut of the multimedia art project during FOCUS Art Fair London 2025.

    Kento Senga: FiNGAiSM & Saatchi Gallery Debut

    By Akane Nemoto

    17 October 2025

  • book cover of japan art revolution showcasing japanese avant garde art from angura to provoke with striking black and red design.

    Japan’s 1960s and 70s Art Revolution: Rewiring Modern Art

    By Keltie Mechalski

    14 October 2025

  • A segment of the Jigoku zoshi medieval Japanese hell picture scrolls showing vermilion flames consuming figures in a Buddhist hellscape.

    Hellscapes in Japanese Art: From Jigoku-zōshi to Naraku

    By Paul Converce

    15 September 2025

  • A close up portrait of visionary Japanese choreographer Yoshimitsu Kushida with avant garde face paint representing the horror dance fusion of his work Naraku.

    Yoshimitsu Kushida & Dance Company Lasta on Stage

    By Simon Martin

    7 September 2025

  • dramatic naraku stage scene with performers in twisted poses showcasing japanese horror themes influenced by butoh and traditional theatre.

    J-Horror Beyond Cinema: Dance As Storytelling In Naraku

    By Jamie Ryder

    31 August 2025

Previous

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Next
My Neighbour Totoro Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, brought to life
on stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company
The family’s move to the countryside,
recreated live on stage
Soot sprites swarming live on stage,
just as you remember them from the film
Joe Hisaishi's iconic score,
performed by a live band and singer
Musicians play from treehouses
above the stage at every performance
Winner of six Olivier Awards
and five WhatsOnStage Awards
The beloved Totoro made real, with puppets
built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Totoro and the Catbus, live Satsuki and Mei, live in London The soot sprites are real Hisaishi's score, live nightly Musicians in the treehouses Award-winning, final months Six Olivier Awards Book your seats From screen to stage Choose your date Book tickets Book tickets Book tickets See Totoro live
Rebellious Bodies Butoh Festival 2026
16 Oct to 22 Nov 2026
Three generations of butoh on one UK stage, for the first time
Mitsuyo Uesugi returns to The Place after 46 years
London · Bangor · Newcastle · Norway
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    In Conversation with Butoh Master, Mitsuyo Uesugi

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    The Rebellious Bodies of Butoh

Final show 3 Jan 2027 My Neighbour Totoro Book tickets

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