Team Chiipro, a performance unit jointly directed by Nanako Matsumoto and Kengo Nishimoto, was formed in 2013. Their works have become known for their unique exploration of the physical movements and gestures underlying everyday life.
Shiko is a traditional exercise in sumo, Japan’s national sport. Stomping hard on the ground is said to ward evil spirits off the land as in a religious ritual. Women have been banned from the sumo ring since ancient times, attributed to the belief that women are unclean because of menstruation and childbirth (though this is often criticized in modern times).
This work is based on the theme of menstruation. It is presented as a lecture on the history of women isolated because of their impurity. Since symptoms vary from person to person, the performers read other women’s menstrual diaries. Men also read them. Is it awkward to talk about menstruation? At the same time, is it all right to remain ignorant?
Performers thus solemnly perform the seemingly absurd act of shiko using the spiritual energy of women. It embodies the arbitrary desecration and contempt of the female body by men.
This is a dance that is closely connected to life.

2022
THEATRE E9 KYOTO

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)
In cooperation with EPAD (https://epad.jp)

＜Performance Credits＞
Performers: MATSUMOTO Nanako（team chiipro）, UCHIDA Yuka, MAEDA Kohei
Choreographed and Directied by MATSUMOTO Nanako（team chiipro）, NISHIMOTO Kengo（team chiipro）
Choreographic Collaborator: UCHIDA Yuka, MAEDA Kohei
Video Design by ABE Daichi
Stage Manager: KOBAYASHI Yuhi
Lighting Design by WATANABE Kana
Sound Design by HAYASHI Mina
Costume Design by SUZUKI Kazuto（islands）
Production Coordinators: SHIBATA Eri, OKUYAMA Aina（THEATRE E9 KYOTO）, KIMOTO Taro（THEATRE E9 KYOTO）
Produced by team chiipro
Co-produced by Kyoto Experiment
Presented by Kyoto Experiment

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Multilingual subtitling: Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council

Chinese Translation (Simplified): Wuyue LIU
Chinese Translation (Traditional): SWSG
English Translation: KAWAI Kyoka
French Translation: Amira ZEGROUR
Spanish Translation:David TARANCO
Korean Translation: Yook KYUNGHEE

＜Promotional Text＞
NORIKOSHI Takao

＜Company Website＞
https://kyoto-ex.jp/shows/2022_team_chiipro/