Events

At “TOKYOGAQUI,” held at SESC Paulista in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 15 to May 4, 2008, Tokyo was portrayed from a wide range of perspectives through an exuberant mix of elements from Ultraman to para para dance culture.

An exhibition titled “OHNO 101 + KUSUNO” introduced the work of Kazuo Ohno and Takao Kusuno, while performances by butoh dancers including Yoshito Ohno and Yukio Waguri were presented on a stage specially constructed at the center of the venue.

Takao Kusuno emigrated to Brazil in 1977 and, together with his partner Felicia Ogawa, founded the Tamanduá Dance Theatre Company, exerting a major influence on the Brazilian performing arts scene. In 1986, he organized the first Brazilian tour by Kazuo and Yoshito Ohno.

On the second day, the performance was presented in a special version featuring guest performer Akiko Ohara. In the 1950s, while a member of the Mitsuko Ando Dance Company, Ohara (née Zushi) had performed duets with Tatsumi Hijikata. She later emigrated to Brazil, where she led the Ballet Yuba based at Yuba Farm.