Bird – Mariko Sanjo dances on the Noh Mariko

Overview

This performance was presented by Rokurobyoue Fujita, the 11th Grand Master of the FUJITA school of flute player of Noh, and was held on November 2, 1987 at the Atsuta Shrine Noh Theater. A modern dancer, Mariko Sanjo was invited to perform in the classical space of the Noh Theater created by the Japanese. "Bird" was the last piece in the program. I first performed “Bird” at Barnard College in New York City in September 1975.
Once I performed it, I got one request after another to perform it at other venues. “Bird” was performed under various conditions, from small 100-seat theaters to *Central Park’s Delacorte Theater, an open-air theater that can accommodate 2,000 people.

It was reborn each time as a new piece. In each moment, my body fought against something like an undulation that disperses and breaks. I strongly desired many times to experience that mysterious space on stage, which was indeed a different dimension, again and again. I danced the piece until the autumn of 1994. Among them, "Bird" performed at the Atsuta Shrine Noh Theater on November 2, 1987 was an unforgettable performance that "mixed tradition and deviation."

Pablo Casals who passed away at the age of 96 is said to have always played “Song of the Birds” for encore. The melody is from a folk song from his native Catalonia. It is a short simple number that is pure and transparent with a touch of bitter sweetness. As I listened to it repeatedly, I came across movements that occurred from my inner self. The will to fly regardless of whether you can…
The theme spiraled up amid repetition. Inevitable movements flowed out. A critic said "Not a single move was superfluous ... and every move was beautiful, exquisitely so."
"Bird" became Mariko Sanjo's signature piece.
(* The "Bird" danced in the Central Park's Delacorte Theater is preserved in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.)

Details

Title

Bird – Mariko Sanjo dances on the Noh Mariko

Performance creator(s)

Mariko Sanjo

Direction/Choreography

Choreographer: Mariko Sanjo

Venue

Atsuta Shrine Noh Theater

Performance date(s)

2 November 1987

Performer(s) and staff

Performer: Mariko Sanjo
Lighting Designer: Sachiko Mihara
Sound Designer: Masahito Hayashi

Organiser(s)

Planning: Rokurobyoue Fujita

Genre

Modern

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  Program (cover)