The Seven Bridges

CONTEMPORARY DANCE-THEATER | WORLD PREMIERE

Adapted from Yukio Mishima’s short story

Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 16 at 2:30 pm—Followed by an Artist Q&A

Acclaimed for converting great authors’ novels into disarmingly charming-yet-satirical performances told almost entirely through movement, Tokyo-based CHAiroiPLIN (a pun on Charlie Chaplin’s name) takes on Yukio Mishima’s little-known short story for its North American debut. In The Seven Bridges, following a fanciful superstition that crossing seven bridges without conversing with anyone on a full moon night will make their wishes come true, four women set out on a journey under the watchful gaze of the Moon. Obliterating the line between dance and theater, CHAiroiPLIN, founded and led by young choreographer Takuro Suzuki, infuses eye-popping color, catchy music, arresting movement and slapstick humor into Mishima’s compact reflection on ritual and desire. Which woman will cross the seventh bridge – and, for what kind of wish?

Performed in Japanese with English supertitles.

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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; cannot be combined with The Seven Bridges (Hashi-zukushi) $100 Ticket Bundle discount offer.

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. The exhibition hours are extended until the curtain time of each show.

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Images: The Seven Bridges (Hashi-zukushi) © Photo by HARU; Yukio Mishima on the roof the Bungeishunju Building in Tokyo, 1956 (Public Domain)

The Seven Bridges (Hashi-zukushi) is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, Japan Arts Council; Arts Council Tokyo (Creation Grant); and The Harkness Foundation for Dance.

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

2025-26 Performing Arts Season Support

Major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka, and Robin B. Stern. 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., Paula S. Lawrence, Akiko Mikumo, Hiroko Onoyama, Jeanette C. Takamura, Nancy and Joe Walker, Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, and other Performing Arts supporters.

A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed in honor of Yoko Shioya’s 20th anniversary and ensure the continued success of the Performing Arts Program, including the Globus Family, Cheryl Henson, Laurent Hermout, Merit E. Janow, Eri Kakuta, Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka, Doug and Teresa Peterson, Richard and Momona Royce, Lyndley and Samuel Schwab, Shiseido Americas, Robin B. Stern and Jeffrey Stern, and Lance Stuart.

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.

2025-26 Japan Society Season Support

Japan Society arts and culture 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, and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

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).