Butoh Summer Residential Workshop - 4-7 Dec 2025
Photo by Namchops/ Design by Alex White
Excerpt from Butoh Residential WS 2022 @ Raven's Nest
Butoh- Through magic & Mystery
舞踏 -その神秘と不可思議さ
Step into the mystery of Butoh, Japan’s subversive dance form, through 4days of movement, ritual, and transformation!
This popular annual residential workshop returns, inviting participants to discover their own creative expression and mystery through the physical and philosophical approach of Butoh—a Japanese contemporary and subversive dance form.
Over four days, Yumi will introduce both practical and ‘mysterious’ methods of Butoh, channeling our internal and external creative expression. The stillness and wildness of the landscape will enable us to explore our deeper, authentic "being," and to cleanse our busy thoughts.
Over two hours from Melbourne, the Raven’s Nest is located in Venus Bay: a 14-acre waterfront, forested sanctuary in South Gippsland. It features a two-storey, four-bedroom house with sunrise-to-sunset views, a yurt, expansive decks, outdoor dance floors, camping areas, private walking tracks, and direct access to the national park.
Through sharing food and gentle conversation, participants can explore a consciousness of well-being, as well as the essence of ‘personal ritual’—through breathing, walking, moving, and even occasional screaming and laughter. The workshop allows you to explore the intersection of movement, ritual, and spirituality—fostering a deeper connection to yourself, to others, and to the world around you.
Originally called the “Dance of Darkness,” 舞踏 Butoh contains many layers of practice and philosophy. Yumi believes it exists beyond duality—where darkness and light are not fixed states, and one always contains the seeds of the other. Through the magic and mystery of Butoh, ‘beauty’ can be ugly, and ‘ugly’ can be beautiful. Broken things can become catalysts for transformation.
Yumi is renowned for combining Butoh (the darkness) with lightness and humour, embracing a holistic humanity.
THE WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO ALL LEVEL OF EXPERIENCES AND ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES!
PLACES ARE LIMITED!
PLANNED SCHEDULE
(subject to be changed)
THURSDAY 4 DEC
By 5pm Arriving, setting up tent, and settle in
6:30pm Dinner
8pm Session 1 (Gathering and Greeting)
FRIDAY 5 DEC
6:30 am Silent Walk and Exercise
Breakfast
10-1pm Session2
Lunch
3-6pm Session 3
Dinner
8pm Session 4 (Gathering)
SATURDAY 6 DEC
6:30 am Silent Walk and Exercise
Breakfast
10-1pm Session5
Lunch
3-6pm Session 6
Dinner
8pm~ Performance preparation and Performance
SUNDAY 7 DEC
Breakfast
Gathering, debrief and packing
11 am Departure
WORKSHOP DETAILS
FACILITATORS
Yumi Umiumare
WHEN
Thur 4- Sun 7 Dec 2025
(arrive by 5pm on Thursday 4th, finishing late morning on Sunday 7th)
WHERE
Raven’s Nest
COST
(All meals are included, Japanese style vegetarian)
Early Bird - by 15 Oct 2024
$680 Full / $580Concession
Standard
$720 Full / $620Concession
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Participants will be camping amongst the beauty of the bush to allow for a deeper connection to Mother Earth.
Additional options for beds available on request, during the booking process.
