Television like Minakata Kumagusu: When People Die, They Become Stars (open-air version)

Overview

A creation myth inspired by the wide-ranging, interdisciplinary curiosity of the naturalist Minakata Kumagusu. First performed in 1984, it was later staged at the inaugural Tokyo International Theatre Festival in 1988, in a massive tent where temperatures soared to nearly 50°C. "There is no group in the world so foolish as Byakko-sha in failing to achieve its purpose" (Bessatsu Taiyo 60's-90's, Heibonsha, 1991).

The video here is recorded from the performance at Tankaku Castle Park in Shingu (Wakayama Prefecture), and was one of three outdoor productions held to commemorate Byakko-sha’s 10th anniversary. The other two performances took place in Fujisawa (Kanagawa Prefecture) and Tanabe (where Minakata once lived in Wakayama Prefecture).

- Byakko-sha 10th Anniversary + 50th Anniversary of the Death of Minakata Kumagusu: Contagious Media Trilogy I, Volume - Heaven
- Kumano Kodo Pier and Kodo Festival ~Prayers to the Sky~

Details

Title

Television like Minakata Kumagusu: When People Die, They Become Stars (open-air version)

Performance creator(s)

Byakko-sha

Direction/Choreography

Composition and Direction: Isamu Osuka

Venue

Temporary outdoor stage at the Tankaku Castle Park

Performance date(s)

29 September 1990

Performer(s) and staff

Performer: Isamu Osuka, Sanae Hiruta, Norikazu Sato, Torio Nogi, Hideki Nakazato, Naruhiko Kadowa, Shoichi Motohara, Byakko-sha-chu arawakashu, Karuko Aiyama, Ritsu Minatama, Tenko Ima, Ine Yatsushima, Kao Arahata, Tsuruko Noguchi, Yukara Nakai
Koto, 17-string Koto: Kaori Takada
Chikuho-ryu Shakuhachi Kaze no Kai: Shoho Yoshitake, Juho Nishiguchi
Music (taped): mar-pa, Oyasato-kai, Gagaku music society of Tenri University
Lighting Design: Yasuo Daito
Sound Design: Ayumu Okubo
Props Design: Masami Banda
Stage Manager: Kazuya Kushimoto
Graphic Design: Tsunehisa Kimura, Mituso Fukawa
Phototype Print: Shigeaki Maeda
Photography: Hideo Kazama

Organiser(s)

Organiser: Shingu Kodo Festival Executive Committee

Genre

Butoh

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  Flyer (backside)