Yuki Imoto, Masaki Matsubara and Toshimitsu Kokido gave a workshop and performative autoethnographic presentation at the inaugural conference of the International Society for Contemplative Research, held at the University of California, San Diego.
https://www.iscrconference.org
Description
Theatrework is a drama-and-movement-based educational program and art form, developed by Japanese artist Toshimitsu Kokido. It is currently being implemented in higher education, company
leadership programs, and alternative communities around Japan. It is based on a contemplative approach to learning and research with influences from Japanese ritual performance, Zen, Noguchi
seitai, as well as from western drama and theatre practices. Kokido's workshops offer a space for the unlearning of ingrained socio-cultural norms and self-identifications, and for the
rediscovery of connectedness and artistic/ritual/somatic expression.
This workshop will comprise three parts. In the first part, Toshimitsu Kokido will offer an experiential Theatrework session. Secondly, cognitive scientist Masaki Matsubara will pose
philosophical and scientific questions that this art/educational form raises. Thirdly, Yuki Imoto will explore questions of cultural and social context, with reference to conceptualizations of
self, mind and body in Japanese culture and education.
We will thus explore Theatrework as one example of somatic contemplative practice through first, second and third person methods. Our contention is that Theatrework not only facilitates
unlearning and self-transformation, but that it also opens the participant to a sense of being in the world that is grounded upon interdependence.
Speakers: Yuki Imoto (Keio University), Masaki Matsubara (Tsukuba University)
Facilitator: Toshimitsu Kokido (Centre of Distant Theatre)