Now re-issued, this compact book unravels the contribution of one of modern theatre's most charismatic innovators. Hijikata Tatsumi and Ohno Kazuo combines:

* an account of the founding of Japanese butoh through the partnership of Hijikata and Ohno, extending to the larger story of butoh's international assimilation

* an exploration of the impact of the social and political issues of post-World War II Japan on the aesthetic development of butoh

* metamorphic dance experiences that students of butoh can explore

* a glossary of English and Japanese terms.

As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners are unbeatable value for today's student.