BUTOH - Bridget Scott & Christopher Fryman Performance Alti Hall November 2011 ぶとう

I recall once boldly informing my friend, and Butoh performer, Bridget Scott that my impression of Butoh - for the most part  - was that it was a little self indulgent... That was based on a few performances by some less experienced types that perhaps went on for a tad too long... combined with my lack of any real understanding. 

Having now been fortunate enough to have witnessed Bridget performing on several occasions and also having attended one of her fabulous Butoh workshops to learn the basics and explore my own inner Butoh style - I can tell you that it is a mesmerising privilege to witness someone reach deep inside and reveal their soul in front of an audience. 

These images are from a recent event at Kyoto's Alti Hall as part of national Culture week - Bridget and her co-performer, renowned local musician Christopher Fryman, were hand-selected by a panel from the many who auditioned - quite a coup for a foreign duo - the only non Japanese to be included in the programme as far as I know. 

Bridget's next Butoh workshop is this Sunday 18th of December from 10am -1pm. It may already be booked out but if you are interested it is worth attempting to get a spot anyway - for reservations and directions contact Bridget directly on bridgetscottnow@me.com.  Do it now!!

I have only been to one workshop so far and it was one of the most grounding experiences I have had in some time. So not what I had expected to be honest. I really enjoyed it and it did push me out of my comfort zone in the most gentle way  - I highly recommend it. 

Bridget has been performing Butoh for over 20 years and is also a highly accomplished Nihon Buyoh dancer - that is the traditional Japanese dance that you might most likely have seen being performed by a Geiko (Geisha) or Maiko (trainee Geisha). A very talented lady indeed - and let's not forget what a fabulous Shiatsu therapist she is - more on that here. 

Anyway - here's a little taste of the Culture Week performance:

And below - some of the adoring fans including some of my favourite people in Kyoto...

Meet some of the gang - Kathy, Michiko, Christopher Fryman, Paul, Bridget, Mark,Tad, Elsbeth, Gary and Liz

oh and I snuck myself into a couple of pics too -didn't want to miss out on the group shot!

Congrats Burijitto san! xx

A Cultural Day: Kiyomizu-yaki danchi Pottery Festival in Yamashina, Culture week and Kyoto Experiment きよみずやきだんち

I've been back in Kyoto since October yet I've shamefully neglected to post about Japan in that time but I so wanted to knock over the New York posts first and with a string of three visitors since I returned I haven't been getting much achieved at all apart from tour guiding and taking some photos on our outings. 

That is going to change now my time is my own and I will be 'head down bum up' working and for a fun break - posting on here.  I will try to catch up with myself as quickly as possible but bear with me if you can - things may be a little sporadic ! 

To start us off I am hopping back to the weekend of 14-16 October. A friend was in town from Tokyo and we made a quick trip to Yamashina for the annual Rakuto pottery festival (local potters selling off their wares at discounted prices!) before she ran off to Hiroshima for a couple of days.  I entertained myself with lunch and a wander before heading to a performance by Kyupi Kyupi at Kyoto Zokei University performance space  - part of the Kyoto Experiment 2011 festivities - an international performing arts festival. Never short of a festival in Kyoto.  

There was quite a large variety of ceramic ware and we both made a few purchases from some of the many stalls - good prices and loads to see. Go early as it was easy to wander around - by the time we left it was getting crowded. 

There was entertainment for the little ones including a stall for painting your own ceramics. 

The local villagers also took part in the festivities - I love witnessing this camaraderie and expression of community. At this time of the year it is common to see family groups with lots of kids parading through the local streets. This lot actually roamed through the pottery festival which really added to the atmosphere. 

In honour of my friend Katy's departure to Hiroshima I was tuned into the idea of okonomiyaki for lunch - and it was good!! Normally I don't dig Kansai versions but this wasn't bad. Albeit not terribly traditional with the addition of cheese and corn. 

I'd caught the special festival bus back from Yamashina to Kyoto station ( the restaurant was in the Porta shopping arcade beneath the bus terminal/next to the station) and on my way out there was yet more festive action with Miss Kimono Kyoto pageantry  - all part of the preparations for National Culture Day (and week). 

The egg shaped mascot below is meant to represent a silkworm larvae apparently - in honour of Kyoto's old Nishijin textile district (Kyoto being famous for textiles of centuries - especially Kimono fabric and the like) - and he was plastered over everything for a fortnight or so. A most unfortunate choice of mascot but I guess he was kinda Kawaii (cute) if you can forget the larvae reference... 

Back at home the afternoon was filled with mini street parades - all from the comfort of my own balcony. 

Then it was off to Kyoto Zokei Geijutsu Daigaku ( University of Art and Design)

to attend the Kyupi Kyupi performance  - but not before checking out some of the student's work in the forecourt - including this giant umbrella and paper sculptures. 

Unfortunately we weren't permitted to take photos of the performance but it was certainly a sight to behold. 

 We were joined in the audience by a Geiko and a couple of Maiko  - I very sneakily snapped this shot...

 I wonder what they thought of the Lara Croft-like taiko (drummer) girls, 3 D fishtanks, laser shows, Nihon Buyoh, Bunraku, Noh and a little bit of burlesque-like action? The combination certainly made for a rather intense assault  on the senses. An extravaganza! Exhaustingly so-  I'm not sure that I have fully recovered. My friend and I needed a very stiff wine afterwards which we thoroughly enjoyed alongside a lovely Italian meal at Bosom. Yes you heard me.   Not a bad day at all. And rather jet lagged - I think I did pretty well considering...