i took this photo almost two years ago when i went to see a circus troupe perform near the osaka harbor. this was the support act for the actual show, which was inspired by buster keaton (the show itself was completely magical. imagine 50 japanese men and women dressed like buster keaton, looking exactly alike, performing for two hours wearing his famous stone face and not using words. they made rhythm patterns out of syllables and their bodies moved to this rhythm.)
this woman was wearing a traditional kimono, as you can see, but the music was very different and not-japanese. there was something remotely burlesque about her act, something of a different era, something completely charming. she played with so much heart. this photo really doesn't even show one bit of it.

later, me and my friend sat and watched the open air performance in the drizzling rain. ships were passing in the horizon of the stage. we were wet and cold but we didn't mind a bit. it was pure magic.


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