In the northern part of Japan in Aomori Prefecture is the “Osorezan”, the mountain of terror.  There lives the “Itako” the Shamans who opens the door and shows the passage between the world of the living and the dead.

There are so many people who have left something undone in this life.  They have attachments and cannot let go.  They bodies may be dead but their souls hover between the living and the dead forever lost in perpetual motion.

The Shaman opens the door and enters the passage, the corridor between the two worlds.  She lights the ritual candle and creates the magic circle which protects her from being lost in eternity.  She then allows herself to be possessed by them becoming them and then starts the dangerous journey to the world of the dead where she finally sets them free.

The spirits depart.  The Shaman is lifeless.  The door closes.

The magic circle of fire shows her back to this land where the process continues.

Osorezan - The Shaman premiered in Avignon Festival in 2007 July where it received great reviews and touched the hearts of many who felt the pain and the sorrow of having lost loved ones. 

Osorezan - The Shaman

1.  Entrance
2.  Passage
3.  Possession
4.  Exit

Music by:  Arvo Paert, Diamanda Galas, Balanescu Quartet, Asato

Cast: 

The Shaman - Shakti
The lost souls - VasantaMala Dance Company
                      Kumiko Takayama
                      Fumiko Inamori
                      Fumiko Shimayama
                      Mayura Nishimura

Choreography by:  Shakti