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Special Feature

Mamako Yoneyama's World of Mine

13'09"
 
Special 15 minute features, focussing on a different topic each episode
 
Our first episode brings light to the world of mime, a close relation to Butoh. Featuring a lecture performance by Mamako Yoneyama, a pioneer of the Japanese mime world who continues to perform today, and her topical piece Shinjuku Rush Hour Tango (Mitsukoshi Theater, 1985).
 
Featuring: Mamako Yoneyama, Kanji Shimizu
 

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Mamako Yoneyama (1935~ )
Studied ballet with her father, and modern dance with Eguchi Takaya and Kazuo Ohno. In fact, Kazuo Ohno asked whether she would allow him to teach her. After teaching herself mime, she developed her own technique. Her first piece, Abandoning a Cat on a Snowy Night at the age of 19 was highly acclaimed, and she made her TV debut as Puck in "I am Puck" on NHK. Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno appeared in her performance Hanchikiki in 1958. In 1960 she moved to the United States and worked on her method while teaching mime at universities and theatre companies. After returning to Japan in 1972 she established Mamako: The Mime Studio. While nurturing a new generation, she worked on stage, in film and on TV programs, and successfully popularised the hitherto unexplored art of mine in Japan.
 
Shinjuku Station Rush Hour Tango
A masterpiece created by Yoneyama in the 1970s as part of her "tango series". This unique "pan-ka-go" - combining "pan" (from "pantomine"), "ka" (song) and "go" (word) - performance style is a satire of people in Shinjuku Station. The series includes Housewife's Tango and Menopause Tango. In Housewife's Tango, which exposed the views of unsatisfied housewives, the late Takako Doi - former Socialist Democratic Party chairman - took part in throwing paper plates out from the stage wings. Yoneyama's work reflected her progressive attitude which sought a new way of life for women.

Edited for this program by Naoto Iina
Music: Satsuki Hoshino
Subtitles: Naoto Iina, Yurika Kuremiya
Subtitle translation: Mai Honda
 
 
Interview with Mamako Yoneyama
2015
Planning/Direction: Toshio Mizohata
Video & editing: Naoto Iina
© NPO Dance Archive Network, 2015
 
 
Shinjuku Rush Hour Tango
Mitsukoshi Theater (Tokyo, Japan), 1985
Video provided by Mamako Yoneyama
 
 
Mamako Yoneyama from the "All About Zero" event
Theater X (Tokyo, Japan), 2019
Appearances: Yoneyama Mamako, Kanji Shimizu
Access Coordinator: Isarobei Myojin
Video & editing: Katsuyuki Miyabe
 
Direction/Structure/Video: Naoto Iina
Production manager: Toshio Mizohata
Researcher: Yurika Kuremiya
 
Stage Manager: Roshi
Assistant Stage Manager: Naohiro Yoshida
Sound: Noriaki Coda
Lighting: Toshio Mizohata
 
Organised by NPO Dance Archive Network
In collaboration with Theater X
Funded by Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), and Agency for Cultural Affairs Cultural Arts Promotion Expenses Subsidy (Activities for Creating Performing Arts Creation)｜Japan Arts Foundation
 
© NPO Dance Archive Network, 2019