Out of the Shadows

Out of the Shadows is a contemporary dance performance that sheds light on the forgotten Black Rain survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In two catastrophic blasts, just three days apart, the first nuclear bombs ever used on civilians unleashed unimaginable devastation, claiming countless lives. Yet beyond the explosions, radioactive Kuroi Ame (“Black Rain”) fell over the regions, deepening contamination and worsening the health crises that survivors faced in the decades that followed.
‍
Survivors were divided into two groups: the officially recognized Hibakusha, who received government support, and the unacknowledged, many of whom were Black Rain victims exposed to low-dose radiation and internal contamination, left to battle sever health conditions, gene mutations, social stigma, and, for some, an untimely death—all without support or acknowledgement. This arbitrary division affectively forced countless victims into the shadows.

Inspirited by the haunting photographs of Thomas Damm and the raw testimonies of marginalized survivors, documented by The Liaison Council Black Rain Hibakusha Group in 2012, Out of the Shadows draws public attention to the ongoing legal battle of surviving Black Rain plaintiffs—now in their 70s, 80s, and 90s—, who continue to demand their rightful recognition as Hibakusha.

In collaboration with choreographer Philippe Chéhère, I designed a series of costumes that united the dancers in a shared struggle for freedom and acknowledgement, capturing survivors’ resilience in their pursuit to recognition.

With the support of producer Masae Yusa, I worked with the lighting crew to build a powerful mise-en-scène and conclude the performance with a film depicting the deep roots and current heights of an enduring Ilex rotunda tree, which survived the Hiroshima bomb just 530 meters from the hypocenter.

A pivotal step toward social justice took place in 2021, when the Hiroshima High Court ruled 84 Black Rain victims, previously excluded from government aid were entitled to recognition as Hibakusha, a decision followed in 2024 by the Nagasaki District Court’s recognition of 15 other forgotten victims.

Honored with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 and again 2024, the legacy of the Hibakusha remain an urgent, resounding call to our civilization to face human suffering with collective responsibility, especially in times of conflict.

Meeting Black Rain Hibakusha after the show left an indelible mark on my creative path, strengthening my commitment as a cultural activist.