Fraleigh (emeritus dance, State U. of New York-Brockport) traces the transformative alchemy of the international movement inspired by its aesthetic mixtures, from the founding of butoh in 1959
in Japan to its international assimilation in the 21st century. She begins with theoretical matters: butoh alchemy, the morphology of butoh, and whether it is philosophy. Then she profiles
specific dances and dancers in essay and poem. Among these are one thousand days of sunshine and peace, Goya La Quinto del Sordo, ancient dance and headless, fine bone China, waking women,
butoh ritual Mexicano, quick silver, and daemon of the riverbank. The final section is devoted to her visit with her 100-year-old former teacher, and her dance with his son. Annotation 穢2010
Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
