This compact, well-illustrated and clearly written book unravels the contribution of two of modern theatre’s most charismatic innovators. Hijikata Tatsumi and Ohno Kazuo is the first book to combine:

* 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 Two 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, this addition to the Routledge Performance Practitioners series is unbeatable value for today’s student.