Relay Column: Body & Attire in Ballet – Focusing on the World of John Neumeier (Mariko Minagawa)

Against a target set at the edge of the stage, a female dancer clad in a form-fitting leather vest draws her bow. The moment the arrow strikes the center, the orchestra begins to play the first note—.

This dynamic and solemn scene is the opening of the ballet "Sylvia," choreographed by John Neumeier. On this occasion, I would like to take this opportunity to write a brief analysis (or rather an essay) on the theme of ballet. However, as a writer specializing in the history of Western political thought and feminist/gender studies, I do not often encounter opportunities for systematic research on ballet. While I have long engaged in ballet as a hobby, I only recently began to consciously articulate the various aspects surrounding ballet. After all, dancers can express much more through their bodies than they can with words, and there are limitations to depicting that through language. Nevertheless, there are indeed occasions when one encounters a stage performance that compels them to put it into words; I wish to document my thoughts, albeit inadequately, on this occasion. The focus is on the portrayal of women and bodies in Neumeier's works, as well as the nature of love depicted in these pieces.