MITO is sometimes called a “monster dancer”. Delicate but tenacious, she has perfect physical control with conscious command of each individual cell, but exceeds this with a fiery energy that virtually bursts from the seams. While distinct from butoh, her dancing style similarly uses gravity as its own force, an operating principle different from ordinary living creatures. Her movement is unpredictable, as if a number of animate beings were nesting inside her body, mesmerizing the audience.
The title “Matou” is a Japanese word with multiple meanings: to wear, to keep something constantly by one’s side, to be tangled or twisted. MITO herself says she was fated to continue dancing this piece in order to complete her life. Indeed, she has performed it all over the world since its debut in 2015 and won numerous awards. The work deepens with each performance and continues to win over new audiences.
Though the dance has no story, MITO’s body itself becomes a drama that never stops for even a moment.

2021
Kawasaki ART Center ARTERIO Small Theater

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

＜Performance Credits＞
Choreographed, Directed and Performed by: MITO Ruri
Music by: KUMACHI Yuta
Costume Design by: INAMURA Tomoko
Lighting Design by: KUSHIDA Akiyo
Sound Design by: USHIKAWA Norimasa
Sound Programmer: OZONO Koji
Stage Manager: TSUTSUI Akiyoshi
Video Documentation and Editing: KIDO Koichi
Promotional Art by: GOAT
PR Officer: NISHIHARA Sakae
Associate Producer: HASHIMOTO Lena, SAITO Chisato, GOTO Kaori
Planning and Production: Co.Ruri Mito, KIDO Koichi
Organized by: Co.Ruri Mito
Supported by: The Saison Foundation, ARTS for the Future!

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Chinese Translation (Simplified): Wuyue LIU
Chinese Translation (Traditional): Muju TSAN
English Translation: Gary PERLMAN
French Translation: Meryl DESVEAUX
Russian Translation: Inga IBRAKHIM
Spanish Translation: David TARANCO

＜Promotional Text＞
NORIKOSHI Takao

End date of distribution: 19/2/2023