Kazuo Ohno's World: From without and within / Edition 1

by Kazuo Ohno, Yoshito Ohno, John Barrett, Toshio Mizohata

Overview

Photographs and words illuminate Butoh dance.

Kazuo Ohno is one of the founders of the Japanese modern dance form, Butoh, which had a large influence on contemporary American modern and postmodern dance. Now for the first time, Ohno's words and insights are available in English. This book brings together two distinct but related works: the first, Food for the Soul, is an interview with Yoshito Ohno about his father and his father's dances. With the help of some 100 photographs, he reveals a compelling and complex figure. The second, Workshop Words, is a collection of talks given by Kazuo Ohno to his students during workshops, complemented by photographs of Ohno in intimate settings. Lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed, this book is a finely nuanced portrait of one of the most distinctive contemporary performers to emerge from Japan in the 20th century. It is an indispensable manual for the aspiring performer in any field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780819566942
Publisher:	Wesleyan University Press
Publication date:	07/15/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	343
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

KAZUO OHNO, born in 1906, is Japan's living master of Butoh; his dances and workshops have been presented around the world. His son, YOSHITO OHNO, has both performed in and directed his father's performances. JOHN BARRETT participated in Kazuo Ohno's workshops between 1985 and 1990. TOSHIO MIZOHATA is the Ohno's manager and lighting artist.

Table of Contents

FOOD FOR THE SOUL
Preface by Toshio Mizohata
THE DANCING BODY
The Face
The Mouth; the Voice
The Eye
The Ear
The Hand
The Back
PERFORMANCE
Falling
Standing
Walls
Fluidity
Make-up
Photographic Subjects
Femininity
Masculinity
Avatar
Flowers
Twosome
BEGINNINGS AND FAMILY LIFE
Modern Dance Recitals
World War II
Mothers
Fathers
Curtain Calls
Tatsumi Hijikata
ADMIRING LA ARGENTINA
Self Portrait
La Argentina

WORKSHOP-WORDS
Preface by Toshio Mizohata
What do you mean when you say, "I understand"?
Please just do it, I've nothing to teach you.
September 9th, 1989.
Although we feel love, we can't say how.
The wind sweeping through my soul.
Appendix A: Chronology
Appendix B: Chronological Table of Performances

What People are Saying About This

Bonnie Sue Stein

“Ohno is one of the most vital dance forces of 20th century dance. This book is for dancers, dance-makers and anyone who longs for spiritual inspiration.”

From the Publisher

"Kazuo Ohno is every bit as important as Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham in his dance and his progeny. His writing carries the reader to places not usually accessible via dance and dancing."—Carol Martin, Associate Professor of Drama, New York University

"Kazuo Ohno is every bit as important as Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham in his dance and his progeny. His writing carries the reader to places not usually accessible via dance and dancing."—Carol Martin, Associate Professor of Drama, New York University

"Ohno is one of the most vital dance forces of 20th century dance. This book is for dancers, dance-makers and anyone who longs for spiritual inspiration."—Bonnie Sue Stein, Dance Critic and Executive Director, GOH Productions, NYC

Carol Martin

"Kazuo Ohno is every bit as important as Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham in his dance and his progeny. His writing carries the reader to places not usually accessible via dance and dancing."
— Carol Martin, Associate Professor of Drama, New York University

Editorial Reviews

"Kazuo Ohno is every bit as important as Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham in his dance and his progeny. His writing carries the reader to places not usually accessible via dance and dancing."—Carol Martin, Associate Professor of Drama, New York University

"Kazuo Ohno is every bit as important as Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham in his dance and his progeny. His writing carries the reader to places not usually accessible via dance and dancing."—Carol Martin, Associate Professor of Drama, New York University

"Ohno is one of the most vital dance forces of 20th century dance. This book is for dancers, dance-makers and anyone who longs for spiritual inspiration."—Bonnie Sue Stein, Dance Critic and Executive Director, GOH Productions, NYC

From the Publisher