Le Tambour de Soie

CONTEMPORARY DANCE-THEATER | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Adapted from Yukio Mishima’s Modern Noh Play

Friday, October 24 at 8 pm—Followed by a Private Gathering for Artists and Members
Saturday, October 25 at 8 pm—Followed by an Artist Q&A

“…Ito has become a versatile headliner within France’s contemporary dance scene…” – The New York Times

Drawing from Yukio Mishima’s adaptation of the classic Japanese noh drama Aya no Tsuzumi, distinguished artists Yoshi Oida and Kaori Ito have co-created the spellbinding dance-theater work Le Tambour de Soie (The Silk Drum). Premiering to acclaim at the 2020 Festival d’Avignon in France, this alluring piece begins with an old man sweeping a theater stage – played in this U.S. production by New York’s Big Dance Theater co-founder Paul Lazar – who falls for a beautiful dancer rehearsing for a show – a role reprised by Ito. Set to a musical tapestry woven by Provence-based musician Makoto Yabuki, this darkly seductive dance strips the original fable down to its core drama between an old man desperate to feel loved again and an indifferent young woman made complicit in his downfall.

Presented in partnership with L’Alliance New York’s Crossing The Line Festival.

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Part of the Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences
September—December 2025

Save 20% when you purchase a ticket to any 3 programs in the Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences (excludes workshops / talks and Access Seats tickets). Offer only valid for tickets purchased in the same transaction.

Your ticket also includes complimentary, same-day admission for one person to Chiharu Shiota: Two Home Countries, on view at Japan Society Gallery through January 11, 2026. To view the exhibition please show your ticket/receipt to the Welcome Desk for free admission before the performance.

About L’Alliance New York and Crossing The Line:

L’Alliance New York is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to providing its audience and students with engaging French language classes and audacious multi-disciplinary programming that celebrates the diversity of francophone cultures and creativity around the world. A welcoming and inclusive community for all ages and all backgrounds, L’Alliance New York is a place where people can meet, learn, and explore the richness of our heritages and share discoveries. L’Alliance New York strives to amplify voices and build bridges from the entire francophone world to New York and beyond.

Crossing The Line is a citywide festival that engages international artists and New York City audiences in artistic discovery and critical dialogue to re-imagine the world around us. Crossing The Line is produced by L’Alliance New York in partnership with leading cultural institutions.

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Images: Le Tambour de Soie (The Silk Drum) © Courtesy of the Maison de la Culture d’Amiens, original producer of the show Le Tambour de Soie (The Silk Drum); Yoshi Oida © Sébastien Coindre; Kaori ito © Anaïs Baseilhac; Paul Lazar performing Cage Shuffle at Japan Society © Maria Baranova; Makoto Yabuki © Courtesy of the artist; Yukio Mishima on the roof the Bungeishunju Building in Tokyo, 1956 (Public Domain)

2025-26 Japan Society Season Support

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

2025-26 Performing Arts Season Support

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Additional, major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, and Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund, John and Miyoko Davey Foundation, and a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Program support is provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; Hisamitsu America, Inc.; Cheryl Henson; Merit E. Janow; Paula S. Lawrence; Akiko Mikumo; Hiroko Onoyama; Richard and Momona Royce; Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura; Nancy and Joe Walker; Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, and other Performing Arts supporters.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. is the official airline of the Japan Society Performing Arts Program. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society.

Program Support & Partners

The Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences is supported by Doug and Teresa Peterson.

Le Tambour de Soie (The Silk Drum) is produced with support from Villa Albertine, Albertine Foundation, and The Harkness Foundation for Dance. International travel for Kaori Ito and Makoto Yabuki is provided by L’Alliance New York. Production: Maison de la Culture d’Amiens – France; International art production and distribution center.