This full-day butoh workshop invites participants to step into the vast, unpredictable field of butoh, guided by multiple distinct and complementary approaches.


The morning session with butoh duo MUTSUMINEIRO will work on loosening assumptions about dance. Through stillness, axis and space work, and sustained improvisation, participants cultivate a body that can listen, respond, and step into the unknown, discovering dance not as performance but as a condition of being.


After a 45 minute lunch break, the first afternoon session is with Seiji Tanaka, who explores “the way of consciousness”, and “the way of the body” through mobilising sensitivity in simple acts, gestures, so that they become a dance of your essence.


The final session of the day will be with Mitsuyo Uesugi, assisted by Makiko Takamatsu. True to butoh's spirit of presence and response, Mitsuyo works intuitively in the moment, shaping the session around who is in the room and what emerges on the day, offering a rare chance to move under the direct guidance of a rooted and instinctive butoh master.


No previous butoh experience is required. All adults (18+) welcome.

This is an open-level workshop: previous experience of butoh or dance is not necessary to take part. We welcome all bodies and abilities: if you have any access requirements please do contact Sara directly on sara@surfacearea.org.uk in plenty of time ahead of the event so that we can best support your experience with us.