Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Program introduces performers from Japan’s contemporary and traditional music, dance and theater scenes, and commissions non-Japanese performing artists to create works on themes relating to Japan. Many distinguished artists have performed in the Society’s 260-seat theater and on Society-produced North American tours. Since 1953, Japan Society’s Performing Arts Program has inspired audiences in New York and beyond with over 1,000 productions ranging from traditional Japanese arts to contemporary theater, dance, music and more.

Performing Arts 2025-2026 Season

This fall, we honor Yukio Mishima (1925–1970), the brilliant, controversial and five-time Nobel prize-nominated author, marking the 100th year after his birth with a centennial series of four programs based around his works. Because of his untimely death, more than half a century has already passed since his last published work and yet, Mishima continues to serve as a fount of inspiration for artists in the 21st century. In the words of Artistic Director Yoko Shioya, this series “revitalizes Mishima’s contributions to the world of the arts” through a slate of brand new commissions and premieres adapting Mishima’s writings and a historic 21st century U.S. company premiere for a revered noh school, presenting a set of the original classic plays that Mishima would later adapt.

Read The New York Times preview of the Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences.

Learn More

Our Spring programming ranges across genres and contemporary voices—a classic kabuki drama funneled through pop-inflected contemporary theater, the latest cyberart-driven, beat crackling dance from choreographic mastermind Hiroaki Umeda and the return by popular demand of Ainu musician OKI in a long-awaited debut concert for his full OKI DUB AINU BAND.

2025-2026 Program Lineup

Kinoshita Kabuki’s Kanjincho
January 8-11, 2026 (SOLD OUT)

ENCORE! Build Your Own Shakuhachi: Crafting Workshop
March 1, 2026

Hiroaki Umeda: assimilating & Moving State 1
March 20 & 21, 2026

Earthly Bones
May 4, 2026

OKI DUB AINU BAND
June 4, 2026

Talk Story: Sharing Ainu Culture with OKI
June 5, 2026

2025-2026 Season — Past Events

Yukio Mishima’s KINKAKUJI
September 11-20, 2025
Part of Yukio Mishima Centennial Series

Le Tambour de Soie (The Silk Drum)
October 24 & 25, 2025
Part of Yukio Mishima Centennial Series

MISHIMA: LEGACY – Keiichiro Hirano and Susan Napier in Conversation
November 6, 2025
Part of Yukio Mishima Centennial Series

The Seven Bridges (Hashi-zukushi)
November 15 & 16, 2025
Part of Yukio Mishima Centennial Series

Mishima’s Muse – Noh Theater
December 4-6, 2025
Part of Yukio Mishima Centennial Series

Noh Workshop with Hosho Noh School
December 6, 2025
Part of Yukio Mishima Centennial Series

Become a Japan Society member and enjoy 20% or more off on Japan Society Performing Arts programs and access to other members-only exclusives.

Past Events

To view a list of past events, visit the archives page.

2025-26 Performing Arts Season Support

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 and Hisamitsu America, Inc.

Additional Support is provided by Laurent Hermouet, Paula S. Lawrence, Akiko Mikumo, Hiroko Onoyama, Mr. and Mrs. Motoatsu Sakurai, Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, Jeanette C. Takamura, Nancy and Joe Walker, 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 Donald Allison and Sumiko Ito, The Capital Group Companies, Inc., The Globus Family, Cheryl Henson, Merit E. Janow, Eri Kakuta, Paula S. Lawrence, Makioka Foundation, Naoto Nakagawa, Hiroko Onoyama, Pamela Perlman, Doug and Teresa Peterson, Richard and Momona Royce, Mr. and Mrs. Motoatsu Sakurai, Shiseido Americas, Shuhei Sato, Lyndley and Samuel Schwab, Robin B. and Jeffrey Stern, Lance Stuart, Nancy and Joe Walker, and Alex York.

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; in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Additional support is provided by a grant from The Venable Foundation.

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