Ushio Amagatsu

is a Japanese choreographer known as the leader of the Butoh dance group Sankai Juku, which he founded in 1975. He is the artistic director, choreographer and a dancer of Sankai Juku. He was also a co-founder of the seminal Butoh collective Dairakudakan in 1972. All Sankai Juku works since 1982 were premiered at and co-produced by Théâtre de la Ville, Paris. Sankai Juku has performed at more than 40 countries, 700 cities worldwide. Since 1997, he works as opera director as well. Biography In 1949, born in Yokosuka, Japan In 1972, co-founded Dairakudakan In 1975, founded Sankai Juku In 1980, did his first performance abroad at the Nancy International Festival in France In 1989, appointed to the artistic director of the Spiral Hall in Tokyo. In 1992, presided the Jury of the International Meeting of Dance of Bagnolet. from 2002 to 2005, president of judge for "Toyota Choreography Award" Works In 1977, created Amagatsu Sho (Homage to Ancient Dolls) In 1978, created Kinkan Shonen (Kumquat Seed) In 1979, created Sholiba In 1981, created Bakki, which premiered at Festival d'Avignon, France In 1982, created Jomon Sho (co-produced by and premiered at Théâtre de la Ville, Paris) In 1984, created Netsu no Katachi In 1985, direction and choreography for the photo book Luna In 1986, created Unetsu - The Egg stands out of Curiosity in 1987, direction and choreography for the photo book The Egg stands out of Curiosity In 1988, created Shijima - The Darkness Calms Down in Space In 1988, created Fushi on the invitation of Jacob's Pillow Foundation, in the U.S., music by Philip Glass, premiered at Spiral Hall, Tokyo. In 1989, directed Apocalypse (1989), music by Takashi Kako, dance by Ismael Ivo, premiered at Spiral Hall, Tokyo. In 1989, directed and choreographed Fifth-V (1990) for six American dancers, premiered at Spiral Hall, Tokyo. In 1991, created Omote - The Grazed Surface In 1993, created Yuragi - In a Space of Perpetual Motion In 1995, created iyomeki - Within a Gentle Vibration and Agitation In February 1997, directed Bartok's opera Bluebeard's Castle, conducted by Péter Eötvös for the Tokyo premiere. In 1997, directed a concert of Takashi Kako Iro wo Kasanete, at Park Tower Hall, Tokyo. In 1998, created Hibiki - Resonance from Far Away In March 1998, at Opéra National de Lyon, France, he directed Péter Eötvös' opera Tri sestry (Three Sisters, world premiere).