Nihon Buyo | 1981

Nihon Buyo, UCLA Asian Performing Arts Institute, 1981, by Ikko Tanaka

This 1981 poster by renowned Japanese designer Ikko Tanaka promotes the traditional Japanese dance form Nihon Buyo as part of the UCLA Asian Performing Arts Institute’s programme in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York. The design is a striking composition of geometric abstraction, with bold blocks of colour and minimalist shapes forming a stylised face reminiscent of a Kabuki performer or Noh mask. The juxtaposition of vivid red, blue, and green against neutral tones mirrors the precision and elegance of Japanese traditional art forms, while Tanaka’s modernist style bridges cultural heritage with contemporary aesthetics.

Ikko Tanaka was a pioneering figure in graphic design, celebrated for his ability to blend Japanese traditional motifs with modern design principles. His iconic works, including this poster, often drew inspiration from traditional Japanese culture, such as theatre, calligraphy, and Zen aesthetics. Nihon Buyo itself is a classical dance developed during the Edo period (1603–1868), performed in Kabuki theatre and private settings. By 1981, events like this were part of broader efforts to share Japanese culture internationally during a period of increasing globalisation and cultural exchange.