We’re still a few months away from the Lunar New Year, but there’s an unusually timed lion dance happening in Tokyo this week. Devised by the art collective Shishi no Haburashi, the upcoming ‘lion dance’ will be presented as performance art rather than a ritual traditionally practised to ward off bad luck.
On August 17 and 18, the lions will roam through the bustling district of Shibuya, which is usually viewed as too cramped and crowded for such performance. By having the lions dance in an unlikely setting, observers can reflect on how they interact with the spaces they frequently pass through and look at their urban landscape in a new light.
The exact locations and performance times will be kept a secret in order to leave some room for spontaneity, but if you find yourself around Shibuya Station this Wednesday and Thursday, keep your eyes peeled – you might come across the fascinating creatures dancing in public by chance.