Butoh Workshop
舞踏ワークショップ
Beginner-Friendly, English Instruction Available
Emiko Agatsuma, a Butoh dancer with over 20 years of experience, offers Butoh workshops tailored to all levels, from beginners to advanced participants. Workshops can be customized to meet the specific needs and goals of schools, theater groups, and organizations. Through physical movement, participants deepen their inner awareness, enhance creativity, and improve their expressive abilities. English instruction is also available, making the workshops accessible to anyone.
初心者歓迎、英語指導対応
20年以上舞踏家として活動している我妻恵美子が、初心者から経験者まで、個々のレベルに応じた舞踏ワークショップを提供。学校、劇団、団体様などの目的やご要望に応じてオーダーメイドの内容を作成します。身体を動かしながら自分の内面に深く向き合い、創造性を引き出し、表現力を高めます。英語指導対応も可能で、どなたでも参加できます。
What is Butoh? 舞踏とは？
The first time I encountered Butoh's basic training, I was captivated—not by its movements, but by its profound philosophy.
Butoh is a Japanese avant-garde dance form that emerged in the 1960s, pioneered by Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno. Originally conceived as a reaction to Western modern dance, early Butoh artists explored themes of the body, personal vulnerabilities, and Japanese cultural identity, reconstructing them into a deeply expressive theatrical art.
Over time, Butoh has evolved into a distinctive movement philosophy that continues to inspire and influence artists worldwide.
「難しそう」「怖そう」と感じて躊躇していた方もいらっしゃるかもしれません。私自身、最初は同じ気持ちでした。
しかし、実は舞踏の基礎体操は実はとてもシンプルです。体を動かす経験がなかった私でも、その奥深い世界観に強く惹き込まれました。
舞踏は1960年代に日本で誕生したコンテンポラリーダンスであり、土方巽、大野一雄が最も著名な創始者として知られています。
当初は西洋のモダンダンスへの反発として生まれた舞踏ですが、舞踏家たちは自身の身体、内面の葛藤、日本の文化や風土を見つめ直し、それらを独自の表現として再構築しました。この独創的な身体哲学は、日本だけでなく世界中のアーティストに影響を与え続けています。
AGAXART Butoh Workshop
Emiko Agatsuma has over 20 years of experience as a Butoh instructor. In her Butoh workshop, she introduces the philosophy and foundational principles of Butoh through guided physical exploration. The workshop focuses on deepening the connection between body and mind, cultivating internal awareness and boosting people's creativity.
Whether you are new to Butoh or an experienced performer, Emiko’s workshop provides a supportive space to explore, express, and evolve in your artistic journey.
我妻恵美子は20年以上の指導経験を持つ舞踏家です。舞踏ワークショップでは、舞踏の哲学と基礎的な身体の使い方を、実践を通じて学びます。身体と心のつながりを深め、内面の意識を高めて創造力を育むことを目的としています。初心者の方から経験者まで、それぞれのレベルに応じた学びの場を提供し、自由に探求し、表現し、成長できる機会を創出します。
Class Levels レベル
🔹 Beginner Class – For those new to Butoh, focusing on fundamental techniques
🔹 Advanced Class – For experienced participants looking to refine their skills
🔹 All-Level Class – Open to all, allowing participants to develop at their own pace
Each workshop is tailored to the participants' level, offering a structured yet flexible approach for beginners and professionals alike.
🔹 初心者クラス – だれでも気軽に参加できる
🔹 経験者クラス – もっと舞踏を深く知りたい
🔹 オールレベル クラス – 未経験者もダンサーも一緒に楽める
初心者からプロフェッショナルまで、それぞれのレベルに合わせた指導を行います。
Workshop Experience & Collaborations
舞踏ワークショップ外部活動歴
Emiko has conducted workshops at renowned institutions and venues, including:
Universities & Schools
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Waseda University (Japan) 早稲田大学
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Taipei National University of the Arts (Taiwan) 国立台北芸術大学（台湾）
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Tainan National University of the Arts (Taiwan)
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Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan)
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Lasalle College of the Arts (Singapore)
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Yokohama International School (Japan)
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Hoya High School (Japan)
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Taipei City Private Yuda Senior High School (Taiwan)
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Asakusa Elementary School (Japan)
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Oshiage Elementary School (Japan)
Theaters & Arts Institutions
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Arts Academy, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Japan)
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Setagaya Public Theatre (Japan)
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Shinehouse Theatre (Taiwan)
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Tjimur Dance Theater (Taiwan)
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SYAKE-SPEARE Theater (Japan)
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Tobira-za Otona satelite (Japan)
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早稲田大学
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国立台北芸術大学（台湾）
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国立台南芸術大学（台湾）
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輔仁大学（台湾）
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Lasalle College of the Arts (シンガポール)
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横浜インターナショナルスクール
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保谷高校演劇部
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臺北市私立育達高級中等学校（台湾）
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浅草小学校
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押上小学校
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東京芸術劇場アーツアカデミー
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世田谷パブリックシアター
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暁劇場 様（台湾）
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Tjimur Dance Theater 様（台湾）
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鮭スペアレ 様
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扉座大人サテライト 様
Emiko teaches in both English and Japanese, making her workshops accessible to international participants.
Join a Butoh workshop and experience a new dimension of movement and self-expression.
■ Program Details
One of the fundamental idea of Butoh is to imagine your body as an empty bag. You will fill this container with water, plants, animals, etc. allowing these images to move your body. By embracing and flowing with these images, you will discover a unique approach to movement that differs from Western dance.
As participants move at their own pace, even beginners can enjoy this workshop relaxing and releasing the tension of daily life.
＜What you get in this Workshop？＞
✅ Learn unique physical expression through Butoh training
✅ Explore the background of Butoh movements and the connection between mind and body through imagination
＜AGAXART's Teaching Approach＞
Visualization is the feature of our Butoh workshop. We delicately instruct and explain through imagery to facilitate understanding. We help participants become aware of bodily sensations often overlooked in daily life and provide opportunities to explore inner experiences from a fresh perspective.
＜Why Register?＞
✨ Self-acceptance & relaxation – Free your body and mind, and find deep relaxation
✨ Enhanced sensory awareness & creativity – Discover new possibilities for expression
✨ Beginner-friendly – A supportive environment to learn Butoh from the basics
What is AGAXART?
AGAXART is an art collective dedicated to enhancing human creativity through the exploration of the body, mind, and spirit.
We organize workshops, performances, and events, offering a space for self-exploration and diverse expression through Butoh's unique physical techniques.
AGAXART also actively promotes cross-cultural exchange and engages in projects that raise awareness of local cultural resources.
Emiko Agatsuma
Founder of AGAXART / Butoh Performer / Choreographer / Director
Upon graduating from Waseda University, Emiko joined the Butoh company Dairakudakan. In 2020, she established AGAXART to organize events and performances of Butoh.
🏆 2015 – 46th Dance Critics Association Newcomer Award
🏆 2020 – Selected as a resident artist at Taipei Artist Village
🏆 2020 – Represented Asia at the 39th Battery Dance Festival (NY)
She also produces HOKUSAI MANGA BUTOH project; community-based Butoh performances,
🎭 2022 – HOKUSAI MANGA BUTOH
🎭 2023 – Dancing SENTO
🏆 2024 – So Zo Ro (Represented at the JAPAN FOCUS in Taipei)
■ プログラム詳細
舞踏の身体操法の特徴は自分の体をからっぽの袋とイメージする点にあります。その中に水のイメージや植物、動物をイメージして、それらによって体を動かしてもらいます。全てを受け入れてまた受け流していく体の使い方は、西洋のダンスと違った身体へのアプローチを発見できます。自分のペースで体を動かすことができるので、初心者の方でも無理なくリラックスしながら日常の緊張をほぐしていくことができます。
＜AGAXART舞踏ワークショップで学べること＞
✅ 舞踏の基本トレーニングを通じて、独自の身体表現を学べる
✅ 舞踏の背景や動きと心のつながりを、想像力を使って深く体験できる
＜AGAXARTの指導方法＞
私たちは 視覚化、イメージを活用した丁寧な指導 を大切にしています。
舞踏を通じて、普段見過ごしてしまいがちな身体の感覚に気づき、内面的な経験を異なる視点から捉える機会を提供します。
＜参加のメリット＞
✨ 自己受容とリラクゼーション —— 体と心を解放し、リラックスできる
✨ 感覚の磨きと創造性の向上 —— 新たな身体表現の可能性を発見できる
✨ 初心者も安心 —— 基本からじっくり学べる環境
▶ ワークショップの様子をnoteで公開中！
https://note.com/emikoagatsuma/m/md9940db5fe66
AGAXART（アガックスアート）とは？
AGAXARTは我妻恵美子が代表を務め、身体、精神、魂の探求を通じて人々の創造性を高めることを目的としたアート集団です。ワークショップ、公演、イベントを企画運営しています。舞踏の身体操法を主軸にして言語では表現しづらい内面と向き合い、多様な表現を発掘する場を提供しています。異なる文化との交流を積極的に行い、地域資源の関心を高める取り組みを行っています。
我妻恵美子 Emiko AGATSUMA
AGAXART代表、舞踏・振付・演出
早稲田大学を卒業と同時に舞踏集団・大駱駝艦に所属。2020年に独立し舞踏を中心とした舞台・イベントを手掛けるAGAXARTを設立。
🏆 2015年 第46回舞踊批評家協会新人賞 受賞
🏆 2020年 台北国際芸術村 レジデンスアーティストに選出
🏆 2020年 第39回 Battery Dance Festival（NY）アジア代表として招聘
また、地域に根ざした創作活動として「北斎漫画舞踏シリーズ」を企画。
2022年 『北斎漫画の墨の囁き、街の響き』
2023年 『おどる湯』
🏆 2024年 『そぞろ』（JAPAN FOCUS＠台北 招聘作品）
REVIEW
“I really loved the empty bag and water comes into body flow”
— 30's・S.B
“Oh yes! It is all new world for me!”
— 40's・K.M
“オンラインワークショップは家で気軽に参加できるのが良いですね。
九州在住だと普段はなかなか我妻さんのワークショップは受けられないですが、
出かけて行く時間や交通費もかからないので、開催していただき助かっています。
海外の方も参加できるのはオンラインの良いところですね。”
— 40's・Y.N
“I learned a lot! I have taken online Butoh workshops before but have never really learned the basic principles and skills. Your explanations and demonstrations were very clear and I found them easy to follow. ”
— 50's・A.M
“簡単に見える動作もとても難しいのだな、と感じました。集中力も鍛えられますね！最近は集中力散漫になってきているので、良い訓練にもなります！また、我妻さんの説明がとても分かりやすかったです。ありがとうございました”
— 50's・S.O
“The visualization is helpful for me to relax because I have a hard time relaxing. The water prompt is helpful for me to do other dances as well.”
— 40's・C.K
“後日録画が観られるのはとても良いですね、自分の姿を客観的に見る機会はそうそうありません、気付きに繋がります”
— 40's・M.K
“時間内によく詰められた内容で、無理なく学ぶことが出来ました！”
— 30's・T.T
“回を重ねる毎に、前回のポイントを踏まえてきて身体に入っていくのを感じます。わかりやすい説明で無理なく舞踏に触れることができます。外側を（カタチ、振り？）みて身体を動かすというのではなく、内面から起こっている事象が身体を動かしている、動かされていること丁寧に感じられて、大事だなとおもいました。”
— 50's・Y.F
“ Agatsuma sensei is an exceptional teacher. Her guidance makes you think about body and movemebt in an entirely different way. She introduces challenging ideas and concepts in a gentle and effective manner. ”
— 30's・I.K
“オンラインではない対面のワークショップの場合、周りに居る他の参加者の方々と別に振りを合わせなくても良い場合でも、特に速度なんかは合わせてしまっていたんだな、と気付きました。オンラインだと他人の気配が無いので少し心許なく感じたりもしますが、逆に自分のやる事に集中出来る（できてなかったりしますが汗）環境になりそれも良いですね。”
— 50's・S.O
“Excellent effort! I suppose that this that comes first in my mind it has to do with the double sense of the plastic bag (from inside and from outside)”
— 30's・C.T
Review
©Miya Turnbull
Miya Turnbull (Visual Artist)
Emiko is a fantastic teacher. I am learning so much from her lessons which on the surface seem so simple but are extremely hard to do. These are very important basics to learn how to empty one's mind and body and let something 'else' take over and to become part of nature, for example. Really great practise for isolating certain areas of the body. It's also really great for learning to 'let go' of how we look, not being embarrassed about making a face or movement that could be 'ugly' - instead it becomes beautiful. The prices are so extremely reasonable too, makes it really accessible for everyone to take classes. And it's so amazing that we can be on opposites sides of the world and still connect and interact with each other!
Every lesson I learn so much- not only about my body, but also the history of Butoh. I am learning about Japanese culture and masks and ways to incorporate so many new elements into my own artwork. I have always wanted to take her online class but this is exactly the right time for me now as I start wearing my masks more in full bodies performance. I didn't know where to start- how to move my body- but she has given me so many tools to start with - to being 'empty' and let the masks energy take over. Really wonderful! And I appreciate her flexibility too- she has adjusted her times and dates for me several times to accommodate my schedule. Thank you so much!
Miya Turnbull Website ▶ https://www.miyaturnbull.com/
Iza Kavedžija (Anthropologist)
Workshops with Emiko are a special pleasure, a time to engage the senses and focus mindfully on movement. Beginners will thrive under her gentle guidance, while more experienced dancers will always find something new to explore. Emiko is a fantastic teacher, her methods are ingenuous and effective, and she always manages to create a creative and friendly atmosphere.
I found the butoh workshops to be both challenging and meditative, as she encourages participants to engage the body through the imaginative process. What movement can be born if one imagines that one’s body is being pecked by a fish? What happens if you allow a strong emotion to fill you up gradually from the inside? By practicing movement and focus with Emiko, I feel the butoh workshops allow me to engage my imagination in different ways in my other creative pursuits, as well.
©XUE
XUE (Artist/Butoh Dancer)
Emiko creates a safe and comfortable space for people of all experience levels to learn butoh. The techniques that she introduces have made my Butoh richer as I continue to practice them in my own time. They are easy to approach, but increase in complexity over time. Taking Emiko’s workshops has deepened my understanding of Butoh. She is a calming presence and an extremely patient teacher. In her workshops you feel brave to dance freely. Emiko-san is encouraging and often tells us to just have fun. Having the permission to be free and try things is quite significant when dancing Butoh, for as students we are sometimes afraid of doing the wrong thing. To me, Emiko is an amazing Butoh teacher as she truly makes me feel like Butoh can be for everyone.
Tina Poggel (Journalist )
Emiko's workshops are delightful and inspiring for me. Emiko is a very good teacher. She explains and shows every step of the basics very clearly and exactly on different levels, showing pictures or demonstrating with her own body from all sides. Then she gives a lot of time to explore my own body and get into it. I learn so much like to be an empty bag or a water bag or a Japanese hero. I experience to focus on every movement and moment. Changing the face into a demon face was a very big experience.
But first of all she holds the spot on the process, which is very important, not only the goal. In Emiko's workshop I experienced a deep work in my body, right to the cells. For me the workshop feels like a meditation in the own body and I understand in a deep
way what Butoh maybe is. Thanks a lot.
Tina's Website ▶ www.poggel-medien.de
JUNKO (Art Dancer)
我妻恵美子先生の 踊りと哲学に魅せられてワークショップを頂いています。
恵美子先生のレッスンは視覚から無意識まで様々な感覚を意識させられます。
ワークショップではただ単の体を動かす踊りでなくアートテイストな創作も一緒にして一つ作品を作って行きました。
恵美子先生の感覚と味を私の感覚と味を合わせて料理して素敵な作品が出来上がりました。と私は思っています。その過程は様々な発見があって、舞踏は体感だけじゃなく、想像や様々な哲学が合わさって深みのある、研究し甲斐のあるダンスでとてもいつも楽しく刺激あるお稽古を頂いています！
I have been studying with Emiko Agatsuma because I am fascinated by her dance and philosophy.
Emiko's lessons makes me aware of various senses from the visual to the subconscious.
Workshop is not only for the Body movement, but also a creator with an artistic taste.
Working together with Emiko always lets us make the most beautiful creations. I believe that this is the best way to create a beautiful work of art. Butoh is not only a dance of the body, but also of the imagination and various philosophies, and it is a dance with depth and worth studying with Emiko.
Tina's Website ▶ https://www.bellydancejapan.com/
Hasnaa FATEHI (Artist)
I started taking Butoh lessons with Emiko Agatsuma in January 2020, during her artist residence in Taipei. Emiko uses Dairakudakan’s method in her classes, she always starts with very basic concepts and adds layers of information when she senses the classroom is ready for it. Sessions always ended with a mini-performance putting into application the concepts learnt that day, which provides a great introduction to the way she develops her choreographies and to performing before an audience, in this case the classmates.
The atmosphere created by Emiko is supportive and respectful of everyone’s limitations while providing advice and guidance on how each one could deepen their work. In addition to great attention during the class, Emiko remains available to answering questions after classes, shares a summary (via email) of concepts addressed during the class and posts her consenting students mini-performances on the social media.
Emiko is a generous teacher, she supports everyone in their artistic journey, is happy to provide her input if asked and does not hesitate to indiscriminately include her students in her project regardless of their years of experience or age.
Beyond Butoh classes, Emiko is a great mentor/model to have, I learn a lot just from watching the way she manages projects, leads her classes and respects her practice.