These ruins are full of history. The first floor was once a bowling alley; the basement, a public bath. Now, it has been renovated by our members. We are a diverse group: architects, artists, mangaka, (former) bank clerks, dramaturgs, baristas, dancers, critics, poets, accountants, painters, choreographers, lawyers, curators, directors, editors, researchers, translators, and set designers.

Our basement space was opened in July 2017, and the first-floor arts centre followed in October. Above, BUoY has a café, a gallery for art exhibitions, and a rehearsal space. The basement below, stretching out for 300㎡, is used for theatre and dance productions. Here we present cutting-edge productions that combine the diverse genres of arts: theatre, performance, dance, poetry, architecture, food, film…
Our mission is to create encounters with ‘otherness’.

A BUoY (/ˈbuːiː/) is a signpost that floats in the sea. As a reference point that does not sink even if submerged, it can also serve as a landmark for ships that have lost their way on the open water. This name declares our desire to guide and support young artists. It also represents our intention to disseminate art that is new, yet still immersed in the history of our home in Senjū: a land-ship floating between the Arakawa and Sumidagawa rivers. The idea that BUoY should be a place to encounter other values resonates with the tolerance of diversity that has flourished in this post town since the time of the samurai.

BUoY is a place that is skeptical of the obvious in Japanese society – its pursuit of compromise and preëstablished harmony – and instead hints at the view from a slightly more distant vantage point. It is a place where you can come to encounter something other than yourself. It is a place where you can come face-to-face with critical, cutting-edge art, full of intent.
From these ruins, we want to help create a society that is more open to diversity.

BUoY Artistic Director
Kako Kishimoto