This month, Honolulu theatergoers have a rare chance to catch Katsura Kan, one of Japan’s great masters of Butoh, in performance at The Arts at Mark’s Garage, courtesy of Tangentz Performance Group. Emerging from the ashes of World War II Japan, Butoh delves into the heart of the human condition and has subsequently become one of the world’s most haunting dance forms. In the midst of rehearsals, Kaila Hawai‘i caught up with Tangentz’ Creative Director Lori Ohtani to learn more about Butoh and the upcoming performance.
 
 
Butoh has been around for a few decades now, but there may be many in the islands who are unfamiliar with it. How would you describe butoh?

Enigmatic beauty that is unconventional and profound.

And what distinguishes it from other dance forms?

Aside from its signature distinguishing features—white body make-up and slow meditative movement—the Butoh dancer strives to penetrate into the many layers of the body,  such as consciousness, skin, bone, cell, nerve… going to the body’s deepest layer. From this beginning, the Butoh dancer has access to many hidden treasures of their background, history, culture, and environment… in turn transforming the dancer  into a new being/beginning and space.

Katsura-kan is one of Japan’s great butoh masters. How did your paths cross?

Tangentz was fortunate to be able to collaborate with Katsura Kan in 1995.

You’ve recently finished a series of butoh workshops with Katsura Kan. How did that experience go for you as well as the participants?

It was very stimulating and fun. I think that everyone who had participated gained the same experience as well as added insights into how our bodies can house unique information about yourself.

On December 16 and 17, Tangentz will present “Curious Fish” with Katsura Kan at The Arts at Mark’s Garage. What is the concept behind the show?

To offer the Hawai‘i audience an opportunity to see a Butoh Master perform in one of his signature works.

And what is the meaning behind “Curious Fish”?

Kan describes Curious Fish as such….“In 1970s Japan, we faced a variety of serious environmental crisis. This crisis was a result of enormously high economic growth. Japan was in deep tragedy. In Japan we especially saw many “strange fish” in our rivers and the sea. I witnessed many cats, dogs, and chickens dancing a type of DEATH DANCE-so to speak… Resulting from the consumption of these strange fish. Sadly, humans also consumed these strange fish. My fragmental dance pieces/ “Curious Fish” are a requiem to the spirits who couldn’t become human, and their lives having been erased before coming into this world.”

Every dance form has its own distinctive language and code—whether it’s hula, classical ballet or Bharata Natyam.  For a new viewer, what is the best way to approach a butoh performance?

With an open mind and no preconceived ideas or expectations.
 

CURIOUS FISH

with Butoh Master Katsura Kan
Presented by Tangentz
Friday, December 16 & Saturday, December 17
The ARTS at MARKS GARAGE
1159 Nu’uanu Avenue
Doors open at 7:00 pm
Show starts at 7:30pm
Tickets: $15 at the door

Tags: butoh, Katsura-Kan, Tangentz