Human arts. Setouchi Circus Factory creates a contemporary circus culture that can only exist here, rooted in the Setouchi region.
Our mission
01
Create a culture found only here
Contemporary circus uses highly trained bodies and evolves freely by embracing music, theatre, dance, visual art and film. As a pioneer in Japan, SCF creates a contemporary circus culture born from the climate and ways of life of Setouchi.
02
Nurture people
Believing that people are the key to a region’s strength, SCF develops artists, teams and children through event production and circus classes. Creativity, cooperation and physical expression open the door to each person’s potential.
03
Connect the region to the world
SCF creates with local communities, welcomes artists and staff from abroad, and shares its work through European, Asian and Oceanian contemporary circus networks. These collaborations build connections across borders.
Board and officers
President
Michiko Tanaka
Directors
Hideki Kato — Japan Initiative
Yukiko Manabe — CEO, Fuji Construction Corporation
Toshinori Yagi — lawyer, Hekikai General Law Office
Masuaki Yamashita — representative director, Big Bang Inc.
Takashi Iwama — representative, Satoai Management Support 88
Auditor
Yasumasa Manabe — CEO, Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co., Ltd.
President
Michiko Tanaka
Contemporary circus director
While working for the Hokkaido Shimbun Press, she encountered contemporary circus in 2004. Deeply moved by performers who live and create with their bodies alone, she resolved to become a specialist. She left the newspaper for France in 2007 and published “Circus ni Aitai — Art ni natta France Circus” in 2009.
After working in performing arts at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale and Setouchi Triennale, she moved to Kagawa with the ambition of creating a contemporary circus culture in Japan and a centre connected to the world. She founded Setouchi Circus Factory and has since developed creations, training for artists, staff and technicians, and places to create with the support of local communities.
She continues this work with the aim of building a cultural centre that will attract international attention in the next five to ten years. She is a full member of Circostrada.
