No. 5: Ink and Echoes: A Dance of Death

Greetings, dear readers,

I want to bring you closer to a world that was very dear to my late brother—a world where expression goes beyond words, into the realm of movement and profound silence.

Today, I'm sharing a piece of his soul: a sketch drawn in Japanese ink, inspired by the art of Butoh — often called the ‘dance of death’ or the ‘dance of darkness.’

Japanese ink on paper

Butoh emerged in post-war Japan, a dance form that thrives in the space between beauty and despair, life and death. It's more than dance; it's a meditation, a transformative experience for both the performer and the observer.

My brother was deeply moved by this art form, so much so that he traveled to Japan to study under Yoshito Ohno, the son of the legendary Kazuo Ohno.

Together, Kazuo and Tatsumi Hijikata developed Butoh, challenging the boundaries of the human body and the spectrum of emotions it can convey.

I'm also attaching a photograph of my brother alongside his beloved teacher, Yoshito Ohno. As far as I know, they shared an enormous bond beyond just the dance, and performed together on multiple occasions.

My brother and Yoshito Ohno, around 2016

On the back of this ink sketch, a poem by my brother lies—perhaps a silent ode to the master of the art that shaped his final years:

Black marker on paper

Transcript:

To you, who walks by,
a feast for crows,
life's remnant lies,
Ruin's dance, a silent cry.

Kazuo Ohno, In Memoriam,
1906-2010

This poem pays homage to Kazuo Ohno, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 103.

It's a tribute to a man who explored the depth of the human experience through the art of movement, capturing the beauty found in decay, the poetry in sorrow, and the dance in despair.

As far as I know, my brother never met Kazuo Ohno himself.

I think it's fascinating to observe the evolution of my brother's handwriting over the years, which might reflect the various mental states he experienced.

I also want to share with you a glimpse of my brother during of his Butoh performances:

As we reflect on the sketch, the poem, and the photographs, may we find a moment of connection with an art form that reminds us of the beauty in every phase of existence.

And may we carry with us the sense of peace and introspection that Butoh, my brother, and his teachers so gracefully embodied.

Thank you for your support and, as always,

Be well.