And just like that, life moves from here into the total unknown. Tadashi Endo was our friend—a gentle, passionate soul. His wildness always lingered at the edge of emergence, and those glimpses made his dance what it was. He cared deeply and loved his students and the people he resonated with. There was so much love in his heart—for his dear wife Gabriele Endo, for his sons Koji and Akira, for his grandson Ryuji, and for so many others across the globe. In his final months, he was flooded with sadness following the sudden passing of his beloved. And now, they are both shining in the unknown. Tadashi was one of the most generous teachers I’ve had. He gave me his friendship and trust, inviting me to teach at his studio in Göttingen for one of his famous intensives. He shared not only his house, but also his students—morning breakfasts at his home filled with so much care, set just for us. He joined us at CAVE many times, dancing on our floor, leaving his traces behind. The last time was before the pandemic, during what is now our annual garden series, OUTSIGHT. When El Museo del Chopo asked us to create a festival, Tadashi accepted our invitation and continued weaving a beautiful tapestry with his students there. He loved Mexico. He loved Brazil—he always talked to me about Brazil. He loved his Japanese Butoh family and had created festivals in Germany to host them back in the day—memories he cherished and generously shared with those who asked. He loved Kazuo Ohno and had a brotherly relationship with many Japanese dancers, including my teacher Ko. There is so much to remember and share, and I realized so much was about the love he radiated. The Butoh world has lost a beloved master. Oh, Tadashi-san… our next NYC gathering is now suspended in eternity. Or perhaps now, as pure energy, your light is even closer. Your dance and your presence will always make our CAVE feel special, and your friendship made our lives special. We spoke just a few weeks ago. We cried together. You survived cancer, but not a broken heart. You sensitive soul! Now we will embrace the sorrow of losing a friend—and also celebrate your journey here with us. Have a magical dance into the unknown. We love you. Farewell, dear friend. May you have a wonderful dance into eternity. Thank you for all your teachings... Ximena, Shige and your LEIMAY family in NYC ps. We debuted our band with Shige for his last dance in NYC! Oh, Tadashi, how fun that was! ;) Photo by Brandon Perdomo (fb)

Kick off the summer with a transformative 3-day movement intensive, June 27–29 at CAVE! The LEIMAY LUDUS Summer Intensive is open to movers of all levels—dancers, performers, artists, and anyone curious about the body in motion. Guided by Ximena Garnica and the LEIMAY Ensemble, this immersive experience invites you to explore presence, flow, and transformation through two unique pathways: LUDUS BECOMING and LUDUS WATER. Expect imaginative prompts, deep physical exploration, and space to expand your expressive range—no prior experience needed. Spots are limited. Register by May 15 for 10% off. LINK IN BIO! More info at leimay.org. #summer #dance #butohdance #newyork #nycdance #nycdancers (fb)