Kinjiki (work by Hijikata)

"Kinjiki," choreographed by Tatsumi Hijikata, is a groundbreaking Japanese dance piece that explores taboo themes and the human body's boundaries. Inspired by Tanizaki's novel of the same name, it confronts societal conventions and pushes formal limits through visceral, often intense movement. The work reflects Hijikata's vision of Butoh, a post-war dance form that emphasizes raw emotion, transformation, and the primitive aspects of human nature. Using slow, exaggerated gestures and provocative symbolism, "Kinjiki" challenges audiences to rethink notions of beauty, shame, and repression, making it a powerful example of avant-garde performance art.