The Tokyo Ballet's "M": Special Viewing Plan with Multilingual Commentary on Sale Now!

The extraordinary meeting of two geniuses：Yukio Mishima and Maurice Béjart

Ballet "M" is a remarkable work born from the meeting of two extraordinary minds: Yukio Mishima, one of Japan's most influential writers of the 20th century, and Maurice Béjart, a globally acclaimed choreographer. Béjart held a deep admiration for Japanese culture, which inspired him to create pieces such as The Kabuki, a ballet adaptation of the traditional Japanese art form. The title "M" not only stands for Mishima's initial but also carries layered meanings tied to important themes common in Mishima's works: Mer (sea), Métamorphose (transformation), Mort (death), Mystère (mystery), and Mythologie (mythology). This powerful and moving performance has left critics saying they "witnessed Mishima's soul come alive on stage." Its emotional depth resonates with audiences across cultures and generations.

An artistic invitation：Mishima's literary world reimagined through ballet

Even if you've never read a novel by Yukio Mishima, the ballet "M" will serve as an artistic invitation into his literary world. Iconic scenes—such as the pure love story The Sound of Waves or the tale of a young man who burns down an impossibly beautiful temple in The Temple of the Golden Pavilion—appear on stage as stunning visual imagery, one after another. The performance offers a special experience similar to watching a visual compilation of Mishima's greatest literary masterpieces. Mishima's life and writings are intricately interwoven and expressed through dance, offering a rare opportunity to engage with his profound world beyond the limits of language. As one of Béjart's most daring creations, tackling the extraordinary subject of Mishima, the work leaves a lasting impression on both devoted admirers and first-time audiences alike.

A tribute to a young genius：A timeless tale of life and death

Yukio Mishima ended his life at just 45 years old. Béjart, the choreographer of "M," had previously paid tribute to another artist lost at 45—Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen. Transcending countries and genres, "M" becomes a requiem and a tribute to Mishima—the genius who left too soon—in a timeless story that stirs something deep in the hearts of all those who witness it. With 2025 marking the 100th anniversary of Mishima's birth, this revival is a chance for today's audiences to feel the pulse of his spirit and the vibrant energy of Japan's Showa era (1926-1989). Through Béjart's vision, "M" becomes a stage where Mishima's soul dances once more—a ballet of resurrection and remembrance.

Profiles

Maurice Béjart （1927-2007）

Born in Marseille, Béjart achieved international fame following the sensational success of The Rite of Spring at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels in 1959. The following year, he founded the Ballet of the 20th Century. In 1987, he relocated the company to Lausanne, Switzerland, renaming it the Béjart Ballet Lausanne. Drawing on cultural traditions from around the world, Béjart's works speak to the spirit of the modern age. Deeply inspired by Japanese culture, he has choreographed three original ballets for The Tokyo Ballet: The Kabuki (1986), Bugaku (1989), and M (1993).

Yukio Mishima（1925-1970）

Born in Tokyo in 1925, Mishima was a novelist and playwright. After studying at Gakushuin and earning a law degree from the University of Tokyo, he published his first story, The Forest in Full Bloom, at age 16 under the pen name Yukio Mishima, and continued writing novels throughout World War II. Although he briefly worked at the Ministry of Finance, he soon resigned to devote himself entirely to writing. His literary breakthrough came in 1949 with Confessions of a Mask, followed by major works such as Forbidden Colors, The Sound of Waves, and The Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Mishima was also active as a playwright, with contributions like Rokumeikan, and pursued a wide range of interests including sports, martial arts, art, philosophy, and national defense issues. His work received international acclaim, earning him a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature. On November 25, 1970, at the age of 45, Mishima took his own life by ritual suicide at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces' Ichigaya base, in a dramatic protest calling for constitutional reform.

Introducing The Tokyo Ballet

Since its founding in 1964, The Tokyo Ballet has built a wide-ranging repertoire that spans from classical masterpieces to contemporary works. The company is especially renowned for staging original pieces by world-class choreographers such as Maurice Béjart, Jiří Kylián, and John Neumeier. With an impressive 22 works by Béjart in its repertoire, The Tokyo Ballet is often described as a sister company to the Béjart Ballet Lausanne.
The Tokyo Ballet holds the record for the most overseas performances in the history of Japanese performing arts, with 799 performances across 36 international tours, visiting 158 cities in 33 countries. The company has been acclaimed at some of the world's foremost theaters, including the Paris Opera and La Scala in Milan. Its November 2024 tour of Italy was a major success, with almost all performances completely selling out.
Alongside its international acclaim, the Tokyo Ballet is also dedicated to local outreach and fostering a broader appreciation of ballet across Japan.

Ballet is a wordless art form that speaks to the heart—welcoming even those new to the experience

For those new to ballet, it may initially seem somewhat challenging—but we warmly encourage you to attend and enjoy the experience. First-time viewers can relax and enjoy the performance, just like they would a musical or play. Ballet is a form of physical art that conveys meaning without words, offering an experience that transcends language barriers—an essential aspect of its unique appeal.