What we Know and what we Want to Know

The connection of butoh with early twentieth century German modern dance or neuer Tanz feels both known and unknown at the same time. There is the acknowledgement of particular German teachers and Japanese students that has grown over the past few decades to almost-requisite in the majority of texts on butoh. “Transnational Stories During and After World War II" frames these concerns of direct and indirect genealogies within a global political context, including the historical alliance of Germany and Japan. The purpose is to bring multiple perspectives into conversation in order to provide a series of anchor points as well as some provocations regarding what we know and what we want to know about the intertwined histories of butoh and neuer Tanz. After World War II, Eguchi began the initiative for Japanese modern dance, and many modern dancers became members of the Japanese Art Dance Association.