~Larry Reed, Artistic Director, Shadowlight Productions
Momo has twisted and turned from physical theatre to dance to photography to filmmaking. His investigation of body and the pre-expressive state grips the work throughout. Since age 8, judo training under his father, 5 year US champion Yuzo Koga. Suzuki Theatre training (flavors of Noh, Kabuki, Flamenco...) under Yukihiro Goto. Butoh training developed under Akeno Ashikawa, Akira Kasai, and Koichi and Hiroko Tamano.
In 1988, Momo founded and directed the Vox Theatre Performance Group in San Luis Obispo, Ca, producing numerous theatre/dance works combining video, puppets, and live performers. He taught and directed children's theatre in San Francisco over 5 years. His film entitled "The Onion Cellar" played at the SF Roxie Theatre as part of the 1993 FAF Independent Film Festival. He worked extensively in Larry Reed's Shadowlight Theatre from 1993 to 1997 (known for use of large screen shadow projections) on both coasts of the USA as an assistant director, sound designer, actor and dancer. He has danced on occasion with Koichi Tamano’s Harupin-Ha Butoh Dance Theatre, performing throughout the United States and Europe.
In 1994 he co-founded Uro Teatr Koku, directing and choreographing ensemble dance/theatre works in venues throughout the USA, Europe and Japan. In 1997, he joined TEN PEN CHii in Germany, performing throughout Europe with Butoh dancer Yumiko Yoshioka. He has collaborated on performances with Do Teatr (Russia), Tura-ya-Moya (Berlin), and ZeroProZero (France).
Momo currently directs and choreographs Ink Boat in the San Francisco Bay Area, touring occasionally in Europe and Japan.
