This course has ended
Co-organized by: Psalms Dance Troupe, Ether Butoh Theatre
Butoh originated in Japan in the 1960s, with Hijikata Tatsumi being one of its founders. Yuko Kawamoto inherits the Butoh system from Hijikata, preserving the original essence of Ankoku Butoh (Dark Butoh) while drawing inspiration from postmodern dance. She has developed a unique physical language, bringing an innovative texture to Butoh. Recognized as a dancer whose "mere presence can alter the atmosphere," she is considered a rising star in contemporary Japanese Butoh.
Through this workshop, Yuko Kawamoto will guide participants through physical training based on the Suzuki Method, helping them feel and strengthen their body's sensitivity and power. She will then introduce the fundamental techniques and training methods of Ankoku Butoh, using unique imagery to activate the body's latent energy, allowing participants to experience the dark aesthetics of Butoh.
Spaces are limited, first-come, first-served! Please call/WhatsApp/SMS 63006009 to register or inquire.
In 1992, she began studying under Yukio Waguri, a late disciple of Hijikata Tatsumi, and was active as a principal dancer in "Yukio Waguri + Kōzensha" until leaving the troupe in 1998. She founded the Butoh group "Shinonome Butoh" in 2000.
She is widely acknowledged for her powerful stage presence. Her humorous works have also garnered a large following. Her compelling power and charm are evident not only on stage but also during workshops and the creative process. She is also one of the few young Butoh artists who learned the Hijikata method from Yukio Waguri. Recently, she has been frequently commissioned by overseas universities and institutions to conduct workshops and choreograph.
Her major works include hitobire (2000), Spring Song (2007), the collaborative choreography 0120 (Yuko Kawamoto × Tenmetsu, 2008), and CURATURS OF METROPORIS (collaboration with Frances Barve, 2009, invited work for the London Butoh Festival).
Butoh or Ankoku Butoh is a form of contemporary dance created after World War II by Japanese dancers Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno. It seeks to dismantle traditional Western aesthetics of performance, movement, and the body, pursuing spiritual liberation and freedom beyond the physical form. Butoh dancers are often fully naked and covered in white powder, with performances frequently incorporating elements such as screaming, contortion, crawling, and crab-like postures. Since the 1980s, Japanese Butoh has gained popularity and recognition in the international dance community, becoming a common sight at global arts and dance festivals. Today, Japanese Butoh is regarded as one of the three major contemporary new dance genres, alongside Pina Bausch's Tanztheater and American Postmodern dance.
