Unit Souzou: Hachi Hachi

Mark H Taiko is proud to present Unit Souzou!

Intricately weaving taiko, dance and theater, 88: Hachi Hachi is a bold theatrical performance investigating the space that exists between two people. Portland-based Unit Souzou Co-Directors Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe face each other through a rhythmic journey uncovering their entwined lineages and personal histories.

88: Hachi Hachi evokes layers of meaning found in the number eight, considered particularly auspicious in Japanese culture. The husband-and-wife duo’s wedding anniversary on August 8 and other coincidences echo the double meaning of the word “88” – “head to head,” the touching of foreheads symbolizing intimate communication. Integrating taiko, dance and drama, a series of vignettes finds the performers negotiating space while tangling, yielding and finally, synchronizing with each other’s rhythms.