Butoh Dance Performance in Japan

Part of Swiss Butoh dancer Imre Thormann's performance at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Shiga (Japan) in summer 2006. The live music is by Swiss jazz pianist Nik Baertsch and his band "Mobile".

[@CarolJWright]

Wow, he even dances just with his abs. Fascinating.

[@wildsugarfly]

I saw him dancing few years ago ... I watch him now on this video and it is still so very strong !

[@MrArtudtoo]

the more times I see this the more it amazes me... both in what is done physically and expressively...interesting this is the first butoh video one sees upon entering "butoh" on YT search...there are so many different styles....

[@dancinman007]

Beautiful control..and commitment to the movement. Amazing!

[@reannan1462]

I respect all dance forms, and this guy is good, DANG good at what he is doing. It is perhaps a bit wierd for mainstream, but I really liked it!!!

[@GDG9393]

This is really hypnotic, disturbing, and great!

[@pyrokinetikrlz]

something out of this world. Very artistic indeed. Love japanese flutes

[@RobynBellospirito]

Absolutely incredible performance! And so entrancing to watch.

[@Sc6h12o6]

Thank you very much!!! I love seeing all the interpretations of Butoh! seeing as how it is a highly interpretative dance form.

[@artsylovelylady]

He's trying to figure out how to stand up, but he falls down the stairs. He's frustrated for a moment. Then he moves around, learns his ability and surroundings and gains confidence as he sits upright and smiles. Then through a little ingenuity he hops himself up. His legs are weak and he falls down again. He looks at his foot like, "What's wrong with it?" Then it dawns on him that he won't get back up those stairs any time soon. Exasperated, he slumps down.

[@ichiaye]

Astounding! Thank you!

[@performingasia]

I saw this performance and I think some of the information is not correct. First, it was in summer 2005 -unless there was another performance the following year. And second, the music was made not only by the Swiss group but by the Tenri University Gagaku group. The performer technique is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, specially in the final part -which is missing here- since the audience could not see anymore a human body. Unforgotable indeed.

[@funknotik]

This is amazing, the only thing I have ever seen come close is a tool concert. They had performers on stage doing similar movements. I think perhaps they studied butoh. Fascinating.

[@crazydeka]

I wish there were more butoh performances like this... I love how some of the butoh performances look creepy!

[@sgtmcwallace]

its cool to see how athletic something that doesnt move around much in space (at least the space on the stage) can be.

[@squidge125]

Made me laugh and cover my mouth in that slightly scared, confused but enthralled way. Challenging stuff. I love it!

[@Caqui]

"Hey, Steve, what' s up? Any word on your brother, Jim? How's he handling the break up?" "Well, he sent me this video.."

[@Zooetii]

VOLDEMORT?!

[@ChrisSunHwa]

Wow, that was certainly different! Incredibly well done, just very strange:)

[@salbanebala]

o god i fall in love, Really beutiful...the dance and the dancer :)

[@Dersox]

Perfeição de movimentos! A arte impregnada na alma do artista!

[@reneg8]

Too much art for me. :)

[@sarasvatie]

Great performance, thanks so much for posting!

[@akmv1]

cool, a nightmare in real life

[@freakasaur100]

This should be in a horror movie 0_o

[@ginjicas]

that guy is pure muscle, and the dance is great!

[@mjberlanga]

Dudes, the art is amazing, the make up nice, his body incredible... but he looks like Gollum... or me when I am drunk (ok, my belly is bigger)

[@funknotik]

This looks like it influenced dancers from the Tool video Schism. Interesting.

[@nazotei]

What is he doing? That Hiyoshi Taisha is a national treasure. It is very valuable Shinto shrine built 1500 years ago. why...did he such place......i cant believe...

[@Delices]

I'm really moved by this performance! Brilliant!

[@squizz222]

I like how the top comments on these types of videos are always one serious praise of the performance and one smart-alecky joke :P

[@RogerHaus]

view videos like that is a pleasure! GREAT RESOLUTION! THANKS

[@nohasayedalahl]

if golem could dance, this would be it

[@ImperialDigimon]

I searched for "Japanese dance", as in the genre of music. On the first page I found anything but, including this. An interesting find, though. I've never heard of this kind of dance before.

[@themonolithian]

Looks like a tool video

[@StephenRong06181986]

so THIS is where they got the inspiration for the Ring

[@khtervola]

I love dance, especially I apprexiate butoh dance which describes how things feel instead of look like.

[@nessamaefalk]

Loved this performance. Parts I really admire: 145-smile,204-hands,233-face,245-foot,307-reminded me of a spider. Imre Thormann is a spectacular performer. Watched this video 4 time in a row. wow.

[@shivo852]

Thanks for pointing out the obvious! We need more people like you.

[@LA_Nidra]

I love Butoh! It's always so interesting. Thanks for posting this! -Aurora

[@merankkorikou]

omg! this dancer is AMAZING! totally amazing!!!! i wonder: how much he work for it! congratulations!

[@dussae1]

those many sides of butoh are really fascinating.

[@SharonAFox]

Fantastic video...Thank God for KZbin!

[@raschache]

amazing!!!!!

[@rodneywar]

James Franco knows the way of Butoh , ie. hosting the Oscars or playing the character who has to chew off his arm to get free from a cliff. All the world is stage where we are merely players.

[@808gummibear]

this looks like the grude the music makes it scary

[@0cer0]

Maybe I didn't actally get the concept of butoh, how it is understood nowadays, but: I was thinking that the theme of butoh is the weak, broken and damaged man. I see a big amount of control, power and also narcism in this performance which, for my understanding seems to be in an kind of conflict to the genuine butoh idea. So my first thought is, that this is a great, a very great performance, but it's not butoh... Correct me, if I'm wrong.

[@ullpinky]

wow....luv it....

[@Tamakisho]

So amazing...

[@Druesenparasit]

Awesome.

[@janrachota]

i love this

[@rockinjellyfish]

great film work!!!

[@fib112358]

Beautiful

[@markorop]

AMAZING!

[@Daruma42]

@Edogy at about 0:39 I was ready for them to break into 'Eulogy'

[@NWViewer1]

I'm sure it's good in it's own way but it's a little TOO interpretive for my taste.

[@unzlowhanau]

Awesome

[@liketelevisionsnow]

very good film.

[@notionpollution]

really really excellent.

[@atree3]

thank you for posting this wonderful performance

[@simmerahluwalia]

thumbs up if you twitched ur calf muscles when he was standing on his toes.

[@DaydreamAllday]

this is awesome

[@Luisanna7]

great!

[@lisa8220]

I know this feeling. No one sees me fall down or drop things. Or to be unable to finish because of exhaustion, or inability to see in the light. I feel like I live in Abu Gharaib with others. Questions: Why? Why? Why? They can not see me drop, fall, in pain. unable to sleep. If they do not see what I have no words for, then they believe I am a 'hot mess' because it is what I chose. But, what is it really, how we all die. If only I didn't have to go thru withdrawal from participation

[@luciozeoli]

@Sanimangas he has such a great control

[@faidan17]

ooo in japan this is butoh.........but in north malaysia we make butoh as butoh pak hang!! hahhaha

[@Gavreeli]

@MonthuRa It's just a performance piece. Not strictly dance but it can be.

[@fotulatuti]

amazing butoh

[@SocialAlchemyProject]

The greatest dance of man-kind. Tyler Lord Hamilton

[@janrachota]

Kann keine Worte aber nun viele finden....Ein Moment dem Schweigen und der bedingten Hoffnung geschenkt....als ich das jetzt sah und mein Verstand zu den Treppen schwingt und mein Verlangen den Körper von Imre beherrschen will! Ein Janus, ein scheiternder Clown auf dem Wege der Zuversicht....ein Moment dem Dasein geschenkt......!

[@chicadejavu1]

Maravilloso

[@PsychedeliciousMelon]

Damn nature! You scary!

[@DiegoAlrahim]

que fueeeeeerte

[@IrenaRomendik]

Cognitive physicality of beauty nervosa!

[@nwhitsett]

amazing. butoh is very subtle... but he looks hungry.

[@7contra]

exelent!

[@timpano]

would you recommend some butoh, please?

[@JacintaEdward]

This is some freaky scary stuff!!! I'm not sure why it creeps me out so much =|

[@beck167]

@Gabisoiyo S: yo si y me daria miedo que ese wey saliera asi un dia cuenado este sola y me persiguiera con esa musica

[@shinobisamma]

he looks like gollum

[@zubichan]

Very impressive performance by Imre. Too bad he is not in Japan anymore.

[@AniaMeteor]

It is VERY weird...and beautiful.

[@spc472]

@TheDigitalreign Internets. Serious business.

[@toxto]

I think he speaks about Gollam/Smeagol

[@MetropolitanSoul]

wow

[@jfizzay]

this looks disgusting but it takes ALOT of skill. look at how he elevated up and moves all his muscles

[@Gabisoiyo]

y eso q onda??? jeje ta raro no lo abia visto

[@chabaman]

marvellous emo dance 10

[@tinyfetusface]

"It's like old greg."

[@robertpintozzi]

still feelin it

[@ByBibous]

Essa noite terei pesadelos... O.õ

[@pabruva]

ICE TO MEET YOU

[@jmzhn]

Music name?

[@blackenese73]

he looks like twelve from street fighter 3

[@Northance]

It's captivating.

[@AshiraMalka]

Why would one need to separate between dancing and acting?

[@uchihaitachi34]

uhh that was both cool, creepy, and interesting at the same time.

[@iperuranioangela]

funny guy. nice.

[@bulothedragon98]

o.0

[@FreidenkerDeluxe]

that was amazing! i also got a short butoh dancer scene in my channel. its from the movie baraka.