Ohno San celebrated his 100th birthday October 27, 2006. This weekend, in Yokohama, many esteemed butoh performers are gathering to dance in his honor "Hundreds Flowers’ Blossoms". It is thought that Ohno, who is very frail, may take the stage, albeit briefly, for the last time. He is still full of life and compassion. What a wonder we are involved in a movement form sustainable in the body of 100 years!

For English see www.kazuoohnodancestudio.com/eng...html
Japanese www.kazuoohnodancestudio.com/jap...html

Many of you know the story of the passing of Hijikata. He was in the hospital, surrounded by his family and friends, connected to machines, wires and tubes. He rose up in his bed and started to perform his final butoh. Everyone was weeping. But he implored them: "do not weep, applaud!, applaud!" When I last saw Ohno in his early 90's at the Japan Society, he was so moved by the audience, we all have sustained him, and he us.

The last few years he has been focused on images of the flower, the baby, birth and death. Infinity can be learned by that.

I'm sure many here have experience that they can relate of their encounters with Ohno...