Butoh, Noh, and Kabuki: “The Black Mound”

Join alumni and friends for a special class focusing on the haunting Japanese folk story, The Black Mound (Kurozuka). The class will explore three different versions of the story:

• A live Butoh dance created especially for the occasion by Oakland Asian Cultural Center Artist-in-Residence, Judith Kajiwara
• Medieval Noh dance drama (video), one of Noh’s three famous “female demon” plays
• Modern Kabuki version (video), a masterpiece of 20th Century dance

A group of priests on a pilgrimage through the wild moors of Fukushima seeks refuge for the night in the house of a kindly old woman. But are they prepared to learn her horrifying and unholy secret? (Kabuki synopsis; Noh synopsis)

For more about Judith Kajiwara, click here. Don’t miss her inspiring performance of new Butoh dance pieces, “Tsunami of Light,” on May 19 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. For more information, click here.

Noh and Kabuki videos are in Japanese with English subtitles/translation. If you are curious about why the unique combination of drama, music, dance, and spectacle of Butoh, Noh, and Kabuki continue to enthrall millions every year, here’s your chance to study it “amongst fans and experts who will gladly fill you in on all the social and historical aspects of the performance” (Flavorpill “Editor’s Pick”).

What is Butoh? Click here for a good introduction. What is Kabuki? Click here for a good introduction. What is Noh? Click here for a good introduction.

Class is free and open to the public. Sponsored by JETAANC Kabuki Club. Co-sponsored by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.

Related Resources

Photo story slideshow of the Noh version of The Black Mound.

Photo of the Black Mound that local legend holds to be the home of the demon. The cave is located in Nihonmastsu, in Fukushima Prefecture, 45 miles away from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. The famous haiku poet Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) visited The Black Mound near the end of his life:

“We turned off to the right at Nihonmatsu, paid a hasty visit to the cave at Kurozuka, and stopped for the night at Fukushima.” - Narrow Roads of Oku

Tastuda Hijikata Archive. Judith Kajiwara was influenced by Hijikata, who created the Butoh dance style during the dark days following Japan’s defeat in World War II.

Short biography of Hijikata.

Video of Hijikata dancing his famous Butoh piece, “Hosotan.”

Video documentary about Hijikata.

Video documentary about Butoh.