Hijikata Tatsumi Archive—A Pioneering Dance Archive in Japan

This chapter introduces the history of the Hijikata Tatsumi Archive, which was among the first to focus on dance and other performance practices in Japan. While the cultural significance of archives is increasingly recognized in Japan, state-based institutions and the private sector are not carrying out archival activities in any substantial capacity, particularly in the field of performance studies. Despite these circumstances, the Hijikata Tatsumi Archive has served as a pioneering force in the archive movement in Japan. The author highlights the objectives and practical applications of archiving institutions in Japan, exploring the challenges faced by archivists in this field.