1. A form of Japanese dance-theater that emphasizes slow, controlled movements, dramatic makeup, and emotional expression, often performed in avant-garde or experimental contexts.
Usage: Also spelled 'butō'; Originated in Japan in the 1950s; Often used in artistic and performance contexts

Examples

• The butoh performance featured dancers in white body paint moving with deliberate, haunting gestures.
• She studied butoh for years to master the precise, minimalist movements required by the form.
• The theater company commissioned a new butoh piece that explored themes of isolation and transformation.
• Butoh dancers often undergo intensive training to develop the physical control and emotional depth the art form demands.
• The avant-garde festival showcased several butoh performances that challenged traditional notions of dance.