OnenessButoh Presents "Ode to Minamata"
Donation protected
Founded in 2013, OnenessButoh is a nonprofit community-based group of Butoh performing artists ranging in age from the mid-40s to mid-80s. Butoh, also known as the “Dance of Darkness,” was created in Tokyo in the late 1950s by Tatsumi Hijikata. Butoh was Hijikata’s response to the devastating aftermath of World War II, the subsequent westernization of Japan, and his search for deeper meaning within. The goal of OnenessButoh is to facilitate that deeper meaning within us, as individuals; and between us, as a collective. Through workshops and performances, OnenessButoh strives to bring awareness to the oneness that exists, but can be so challenging to discover.
On March 23 and March 24, 2019, OnenessButoh--in collaboration with Rain Ensemble--will present Umi (“The Sea”). Umi will be comprised of two world premiere performances:
1) OnenessButoh’s Ode to Minamata including live music by Rain Ensemble
2) Rain Ensemble in concert
Choreographed by Judith Kajiwara, Ode to Minamata pays tribute to the people from Minamata, Japan, who died and suffered for decades from the neurological effects of Minamata Disease. Symptoms began to show in the late 1950s. This lasted for 37 years, until it was uncovered that Chisso Corporation, a local plastics manufacturer, had dumped nearly 27 tons of methyl mercury into Minamata Bay. Chisso denied its wrongdoing until 1970 when Japanese public health officials finally determined the truth.
The story of human suffering caused by environmental poisoning is a world-wide phenomenon. Our aim is that Ode to Minamata brings awareness to the conditions of destruction that are still so prevalent in our modern world. It is also to share the possibility of hope.
Please consider being a supporter of OnenessButoh and our premiere of Ode to Minamata. Your donation will help pay for theater rental, programs, costumes, stage technicians and stipends for the performers. Throughout our five years of programming, we could not have survived without your valuable support. We look forward to seeing you at our premiere in March. As always, it is our pleasure to dance for you.
On March 23 and March 24, 2019, OnenessButoh--in collaboration with Rain Ensemble--will present Umi (“The Sea”). Umi will be comprised of two world premiere performances:
1) OnenessButoh’s Ode to Minamata including live music by Rain Ensemble
2) Rain Ensemble in concert
Choreographed by Judith Kajiwara, Ode to Minamata pays tribute to the people from Minamata, Japan, who died and suffered for decades from the neurological effects of Minamata Disease. Symptoms began to show in the late 1950s. This lasted for 37 years, until it was uncovered that Chisso Corporation, a local plastics manufacturer, had dumped nearly 27 tons of methyl mercury into Minamata Bay. Chisso denied its wrongdoing until 1970 when Japanese public health officials finally determined the truth.
The story of human suffering caused by environmental poisoning is a world-wide phenomenon. Our aim is that Ode to Minamata brings awareness to the conditions of destruction that are still so prevalent in our modern world. It is also to share the possibility of hope.
Please consider being a supporter of OnenessButoh and our premiere of Ode to Minamata. Your donation will help pay for theater rental, programs, costumes, stage technicians and stipends for the performers. Throughout our five years of programming, we could not have survived without your valuable support. We look forward to seeing you at our premiere in March. As always, it is our pleasure to dance for you.
Organizer
Kiyono Kishi
Organizer
Livingston, CA