00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:17.800
Yokohama 2023

00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:48.666
My father used to beat me with a wooden sword.

00:00:51.133 --> 00:01:00.800
I couldn't work, and that's how I became homeless.

00:01:02.233 --> 00:01:13.300
"Newcomer H Sokerissa!" is Dance group.
All members are homeless or former homeless people.

00:01:17.966 --> 00:01:20.900
It's painful, cold, and no good comes from being homeless.

00:01:21.166 --> 00:01:26.733
But for me, it was the only way to pursue dancing
and stay true to myself.

00:01:42.266 --> 00:01:45.333
tHe dancing Homeless

00:01:48.266 --> 00:01:54.500
Shinjuku, Tokyo 2017

00:02:12.333 --> 00:02:17.200
Nishi, age 40

00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:21.600
- Mr. Nishi, do you sleep like this every day?
- Yes, like this.

00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:27.433
- Is that pillow yours?
- I bought this at a Japanese dollar store.

00:02:28.200 --> 00:02:31.200
I live in the middle of Shinjuku, a "prime" location.
So it's really convenient.

00:02:31.200 --> 00:02:34.500
Less than a minute from the
Shinjuku station turnstile.

00:02:34.666 --> 00:02:36.300
Importantly, it doesn't make me hungry.

00:02:36.433 --> 00:02:42.000
Doing nothing means you don't get hungry.
That's a good thing. It's like this usually.

00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:46.400
But today I need to get going early
because a holiday just finished.

00:02:54.366 --> 00:02:56.500
Is that a commuter pass?

00:02:56.933 --> 00:02:59.166
Yest, it's a commuter pass.

00:03:00.366 --> 00:03:03.166
It's cheaper using the commuter pass.

00:03:12.933 --> 00:03:17.200
"Big Issue." Come get your "Big Issue!"

00:03:17.333 --> 00:03:19.600
"Big Issue" is now on sale.

00:03:19.833 --> 00:03:22.066
"Big Issue" is now on sale.

00:03:22.533 --> 00:03:26.600
Big Issue on sale.
Creating jobs for the homeless.

00:03:26.833 --> 00:03:29.233
Thank you.

00:03:29.866 --> 00:03:32.800
That'll be 3 dollars.

00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:35.100
How many did you sell today?

00:03:35.233 --> 00:03:36.800
I sold 4.

00:03:37.033 --> 00:03:41.033
That's 2 copies per hour which is not too bad.

00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:46.700
I get 1.5 dollars for every copy I sell.

00:03:47.366 --> 00:03:51.133
I sold 4 so that's 6 dollars in profit.
I hit my goal for today.

00:03:57.166 --> 00:04:03.700
- I moved to Okinawa to work in the Self Defense Force for 13 years.
- Why did you leave the Self Defense Force?

00:04:03.833 --> 00:04:09.733
I never intended to stay in the Force
for a long time.

00:04:10.233 --> 00:04:14.633
Does your family know about
your current situation?

00:04:15.433 --> 00:04:18.900
No, I don't think they know.

00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:54.600
Representative
Aoki, age 50

00:04:54.700 --> 00:04:57.800
- Let's stop here for today.
- Okay.

00:04:59.933 --> 00:05:02.233
"Newcomer H Sokerissa!" is our group name.

00:05:02.833 --> 00:05:11.133
H carries many meanings like homeless,
human and hope.

00:05:11.466 --> 00:05:16.833
Aoki once worked as a choreographer
for famous Japanese musicians.

00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:33.200
As a trained street-style dancer,
I always focused on getting the right angles and forms.

00:05:34.933 --> 00:05:42.433
That kind of dance...

00:05:42.933 --> 00:05:48.833
it's a process of removing
your own essence.

00:05:51.033 --> 00:05:55.466
But the members are not copying anyone
and they all move differently.

00:05:55.600 --> 00:06:02.100
I think the body that's confronted with
living every day is the most attractive.

00:06:03.133 --> 00:06:14.566
I think body of a dancing homeless feels
somewhat primitive in this modern society.

00:06:15.166 --> 00:06:20.666
Stay focused.
Immerse yourself in the world of dance.

00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:37.166
"Newcomer H Sokerissa!" was formed in 2005.
It has seven members.

00:06:37.366 --> 00:06:43.333
They continue to perform in front of train stations
and on the streets several times a year.

00:07:15.733 --> 00:07:21.733
Nishi received instruction in salsa, samba, and pole dancing.
And worked as a dancer after leaving the Force.

00:07:21.833 --> 00:07:24.000
When I was a dancer, it felt suffocating.

00:07:24.333 --> 00:07:32.700
Dancing was fun, but once you go to dance schools
you're forced into an already-existing style.

00:07:32.833 --> 00:07:40.066
You're ordered around, and there's drama within the people.
The dance world felt suffocating.

00:07:40.233 --> 00:07:43.933
I didn't like that about dance.

00:07:44.400 --> 00:07:54.200
But when I saw Sokerissa members dance so freely
and expressively, I thought –

00:07:54.333 --> 00:07:59.566
"This is the kind of dance I wanted to do!"

00:08:00.133 --> 00:08:07.700
I always felt people should dance as they please.

00:08:30.133 --> 00:08:32.533
Shinjuku, AM 4:00

00:09:03.333 --> 00:09:09.000
Koiso, age 70

00:09:54.766 --> 00:09:58.933
Unless it's raining,
I join the radio calisthenics every morning.

00:09:59.800 --> 00:10:03.766
I'm not flexible so I always do my stretches.

00:10:15.633 --> 00:10:16.933
What is that?

00:10:17.266 --> 00:10:20.300
This is veggie powder.

00:10:20.933 --> 00:10:24.766
I don't get to eat a lot of vegetables.

00:10:25.166 --> 00:10:31.033
I mix it with other drinks or miso soup.

00:10:52.133 --> 00:10:55.733
I need to do laundry.

00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:59.400
Is this your own spot?

00:10:59.533 --> 00:11:02.300
Me and three others.

00:11:02.433 --> 00:11:10.000
Unlike other places, the city doesn't force you out.
Probably because it's not as visible.

00:11:22.333 --> 00:11:27.133
Dancing makes me aware of my body.

00:12:05.366 --> 00:12:08.833
Okay. That's great!

00:12:27.133 --> 00:12:33.066
They saw our interview article in Japan Times.

00:12:33.533 --> 00:12:40.066
- Why do you know English?
- I used to live in England long time ago.

00:12:40.633 --> 00:12:44.466
- For how long?
- About 10 years.

00:12:44.966 --> 00:12:47.066
When did you go to England?

00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:49.233
When I was 24.

00:12:51.766 --> 00:12:53.800
Was it for work?

00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:58.966
Not work. Just backpacking.

00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:03.066
- Why did you return to Japan?
- Well...

00:13:03.666 --> 00:13:07.400
I was illegally there.

00:13:10.333 --> 00:13:12.766
Over there is a public bath I use.

00:13:18.933 --> 00:13:21.766
You're always wearing nice shoes.

00:13:22.066 --> 00:13:22.766
Shoes?

00:13:22.866 --> 00:13:27.966
There's a lot of usable clothes and shoes
in the trash.

00:13:28.366 --> 00:13:32.600
This jacket is from...

00:13:32.766 --> 00:13:35.600
Pierre Cardin.

00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:40.633
These are things I found in a trash bag.

00:13:45.233 --> 00:13:50.000
How long have you been homeless?

00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:53.366
Already 8 years.

00:13:55.066 --> 00:13:56.866
You never got married?

00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:08.233
I got married when I was 59
but it didn't go well so I ran away.

00:14:08.933 --> 00:14:11.333
Running away is my life.

00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:16.900
I ran away from life abroad.

00:14:17.333 --> 00:14:22.633
I ran away from work,
and I ran away from marriage.

00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:33.000
Let's sway.

00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.900
Let's move around.

00:14:35.033 --> 00:14:39.066
Move gently. Gentle, gentle.

00:14:41.366 --> 00:14:43.566
Now tense your body as you move.

00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:45.566
How is your breathing?

00:14:47.833 --> 00:14:55.666
Of the seven members of the group,
only two showed up for practice that day.

00:14:55.933 --> 00:15:00.400
Cherish your natural movements.
Observe your body closely.

00:15:00.933 --> 00:15:02.833
Yes, like that. That's great.

00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:27.500
Okay. That was a great dance.

00:15:27.633 --> 00:15:33.200
Hold your hands above the head and stretch.
Now forget the previous dance.

00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:38.233
- Are there days members don't show up to practice?
- Yes.

00:15:38.866 --> 00:15:40.633
Is this your first time?

00:15:42.266 --> 00:15:48.400
Do you think we should grab them
by their necks and drag everyone here?

00:15:50.166 --> 00:15:53.500
So you don't force people to come?

00:15:53.633 --> 00:15:54.966
No, we don't force it.

00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:57.500
Why?

00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:09.533
I don't want to be forced, that's why.
It's not good to dance when you don't feel like it.

00:16:09.666 --> 00:16:18.100
Your body doesn't want to dance, so why force it.

00:16:18.633 --> 00:16:25.766
If we force it, it moves away
from the dance you want to do.

00:16:27.533 --> 00:16:31.200
That's different from society's rules.

00:16:31.333 --> 00:16:32.366
Yes.

00:16:32.933 --> 00:16:35.766
But do you like society's rules?

00:16:36.333 --> 00:16:54.666
I went to New York in 2001 to study Street-style dance because
I was interested in beautiful forms and rhythms.

00:16:59.866 --> 00:17:03.700
There, I experienced 911.

00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:19.433
I saw people mourning and in pain.
I felt the threat inside people.

00:17:20.533 --> 00:17:25.833
I returned to Tokyo after that,
not knowing what to do.

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:42.200
One day, I saw street musicians
performing by Shinjuku station.

00:17:42.433 --> 00:17:48.200
A homeless man was lying next to them
with his butt exposed.

00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:57.300
People gathered around the musicians, but
no one paid any attention to the homeless man.

00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:09.166
I felt amazed at the homeless man
for being able to sleep like that.

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:14.266
I wondered about the history of that body
and how it will dance.

00:18:14.666 --> 00:18:21.833
I was confident that something interesting
could be born,

00:18:22.333 --> 00:18:30.200
...if that man stood up and started to perform.

00:18:56.033 --> 00:18:59.366
When was your bench removed?

00:18:59.966 --> 00:19:05.266
About 2 weeks ago.
I kind of knew it'll get removed.

00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:07.100
The homeless had bad manners.

00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:10.366
I can probably sleep with this straight angle too
as long as I get used to it.

00:19:10.533 --> 00:19:13.800
Once you get used to it, it's fine.

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:17.033
Do you ever regret becoming homeless?

00:19:17.466 --> 00:19:20.766
Not at all.

00:19:21.633 --> 00:19:26.800
Working means working for yourself.
Making money for yourself.

00:19:27.166 --> 00:19:31.333
For example, to eat good food,
travel or wear nice clothes.

00:19:31.466 --> 00:19:36.200
You do need money for these things,
so working can be important.

00:19:36.333 --> 00:19:41.566
Having a dream job or wanting to help others
is also good reasons to work.

00:19:41.966 --> 00:19:50.366
But when it comes to me,
Sokerissa is the place where I can fully express myself.

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:53.333
It's all I need.

00:19:54.566 --> 00:20:00.800
"Newcomer H Sokerissa!" traveled to the region
to hold a workshop.

00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:05.166
Kyoto, Aug 2018

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:16.900
Experiencing our choreographing process is
probably the best way to start this workshop.

00:20:17.033 --> 00:20:27.700
I used to show members each move carefully.

00:20:28.033 --> 00:20:34.900
But they became too focused on doing the move
and lost their own flavor.

00:20:35.033 --> 00:20:37.533
They moved like machines.

00:20:37.666 --> 00:20:43.333
I wanted to see them live freely through dance.

00:20:43.466 --> 00:20:47.133
Dance should not kill the person's individuality.

00:20:47.266 --> 00:20:53.833
So, I changed my approach and
decided to use words that describe the movements.

00:20:54.600 --> 00:21:04.200
Inhaling heat.
Giant body crawling in a garden.
Zig zag body.

00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:52.000
Close thighs and lower them.
Broken spine.
Small breaths.

00:22:01.133 --> 00:22:01.800
Sorry.

00:22:01.933 --> 00:22:03.800
Okay! Nice!

00:22:08.566 --> 00:22:13.766
Hirakawa always apologizes.
It means his dance has finished.

00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:18.866
Please pair-up with someone.

00:22:20.766 --> 00:22:26.133
It's hard for old men to find dance partners.

00:22:55.166 --> 00:22:56.633
That was great!

00:23:00.766 --> 00:23:02.933
I've never seen anything like that.

00:23:03.533 --> 00:23:08.133
I didn't know you move like that.

00:23:08.333 --> 00:23:12.533
I never thought you can dance like that.

00:23:13.266 --> 00:23:17.466
Thank you for pulling out those moves
from Hirakawa.

00:23:17.633 --> 00:23:19.400
She is my teacher.

00:23:19.533 --> 00:23:23.033
I was moved by Hirakawa's dance.
I've never seen him dance like that.

00:23:23.366 --> 00:23:24.800
You've never seen it?

00:23:24.966 --> 00:23:27.466
- Thank you.
- Thank you.

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:33.233
Hirakawa, age 49

00:23:33.366 --> 00:23:34.666
What are you doing?

00:23:37.333 --> 00:23:40.133
I've been following for a year,
but never seen a dance like that.

00:23:40.133 --> 00:23:41.900
Really? Never?

00:23:42.233 --> 00:23:44.400
- No, never.
- I thought you've seen it before.

00:23:44.533 --> 00:23:49.300
It's all thanks to her.
She brought that out of me.

00:23:50.366 --> 00:23:58.133
I think they're happy to dance with women.
It's important to feel these things.

00:23:58.266 --> 00:24:06.233
This was a great opportunity
for them to experience something new.

00:24:07.866 --> 00:24:14.933
How to deal with changes.
That's what living is about.

00:24:16.366 --> 00:24:17.800
Your dancing was sharp!

00:24:17.933 --> 00:24:21.233
- It was the same as usual!
- No! It was different!

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:26.133
- That's the power of women.
- Right.

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:33.366
He is surveilling the town.

00:24:34.333 --> 00:24:37.900
No peeing allowed

00:24:39.066 --> 00:24:47.233
"Nishinari Osaka" is said to be the area
with the most homeless people in Japan.

00:24:57.100 --> 00:25:03.266
Newcomer H Sokerissa! Dance Workshop

00:25:20.166 --> 00:25:24.133
Smells like Nishinari.

00:25:24.833 --> 00:25:26.133
What kind of smell is it?

00:25:26.266 --> 00:25:28.966
Nishinari has a distinct smell.

00:25:30.333 --> 00:25:39.133
I left home at 15 without much thought
and started to work.

00:25:39.566 --> 00:25:42.766
I lied about my age and
worked at a pachinko parlor.

00:25:42.966 --> 00:25:46.433
They used to allow that.

00:25:50.666 --> 00:26:00.233
Pachinko is the most common form of gambling in Japan.
There are approximately 6,500 pachinko parlors throughout Japan.

00:26:01.266 --> 00:26:09.200
I worked at pachinko parlors for about 13 years in Osaka.

00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:20.533
But the system changed and
you could no longer work without an ID.

00:26:20.866 --> 00:26:34.633
I couldn't work, and that's how I became homeless.

00:26:58.566 --> 00:27:03.800
This is where I slept when I first became homeless.

00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:05.566
The first place?

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:11.100
I had no money so I slept on the street, here.

00:27:22.366 --> 00:27:26.366
I wasn't too worried.

00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:30.833
There were soup-runs around here.

00:27:31.733 --> 00:27:34.433
I never thought of going home.

00:27:34.666 --> 00:27:38.466
I was determined to live on my own.

00:27:39.466 --> 00:27:46.366
I've been on welfare a few times
but kept going back to being homeless.

00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:54.200
Finally got the approval from the city to live
in this apartment.

00:27:54.700 --> 00:28:00.500
Mr. Hirakawa,
You have been approved to receive support
from the federal social welfare system.

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:07.200
- Why did you leave home?
- I didn't like my dad.

00:28:08.766 --> 00:28:11.233
Why?

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:14.666
I don't really want to answer that.

00:28:15.666 --> 00:28:18.133
Did you fight a lot?

00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:22.700
Well, something like that...

00:28:32.233 --> 00:28:35.500
We will start our workshop.

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:43.033
I want to thank everyone who came out to
dance with old geezers like us on this hot day.

00:28:43.266 --> 00:28:46.433
Just do as you please.

00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:50.866
Rest when you're tired.
Don't do what you don't want to do.

00:28:51.266 --> 00:28:55.800
Please connect your feelings with your body.
Just do as you desire.

00:28:55.933 --> 00:29:00.866
Try to view all your movements as part of dance.
Don't set high expectations.

00:29:01.133 --> 00:29:04.266
Please empty your mind and enjoy every moment.

00:29:04.966 --> 00:29:07.800
Carefully feel what's happening to you.

00:29:07.933 --> 00:29:13.300
Loosen up your body.
Empty your mind.

00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:18.433
Move your stomach and relax your intestines.

00:29:18.566 --> 00:29:22.600
Feel the texture of the floor against your back.

00:29:22.933 --> 00:29:26.233
Just feel. Don't make any judgements.

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:31.366
Now onto smell.
Feel the aroma of this room and the season.

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:35.400
If you try hard enough
maybe you can smell time too.

00:29:36.333 --> 00:29:41.400
Look, someone even fell asleep.

00:29:45.666 --> 00:29:50.533
I feel bad for sleeping while others are working hard.

00:29:51.466 --> 00:29:54.333
Why didn't you wake me up, Aoki?

00:29:57.066 --> 00:30:00.800
But you're the most relaxed when you're asleep.

00:30:02.033 --> 00:30:05.100
So you'd let me sleep through everything?

00:30:05.233 --> 00:30:06.100
Yup.

00:30:06.266 --> 00:30:07.733
Why!

00:30:08.866 --> 00:30:14.100
It was time to be aware of our desires.
And you had a desire to sleep.

00:30:14.800 --> 00:30:17.266
You were sleeping so comfortably.

00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:20.400
Yeah, because the AC was on.

00:30:20.833 --> 00:30:25.966
- Is it important to relax before doing the exercises?
- Yes, really important.

00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:30.900
It's about being aware of a single moment
and repeating that.

00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:36.300
Focus on the current situation.
Please ignore any thoughts you have.

00:30:36.433 --> 00:30:40.833
It's time for your body. Put aside your thoughts.

00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:45.900
People are always busy thinking ahead.

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:52.766
Like, what should I do to save money for my future.

00:30:54.033 --> 00:31:00.233
With such mindset,
you end up overthinking your moves.

00:31:00.933 --> 00:31:04.400
It's more about connecting
your natural movements.

00:31:05.066 --> 00:31:07.733
That's kind of the baseline.

00:31:07.866 --> 00:31:13.533
Dance helps remove words and
thoughts from your mind.

00:31:14.266 --> 00:31:17.200
Just your body with an empty mind.

00:31:18.833 --> 00:31:26.000
These are precious moments for us living beings.

00:31:29.033 --> 00:31:31.800
Everyone should do as they please.

00:31:32.133 --> 00:31:37.466
No need to take what I just said too seriously.

00:31:38.233 --> 00:31:43.133
Everyone is here because he lets us be free.

00:31:43.533 --> 00:31:50.333
If he didn't, none of us would still be here.

00:31:53.933 --> 00:31:56.066
I'm jealous of your teeth.

00:31:56.300 --> 00:32:01.866
I've been homeless since 30
so I lost most of my teeth.

00:32:02.033 --> 00:32:05.966
I couldn't afford tooth paste.

00:32:06.266 --> 00:32:10.133
- You start to lose your teeth in about 2 years.
- Yeah.

00:32:10.800 --> 00:32:14.500
Within the first 2 years, I lost a lot of my teeth.

00:32:15.233 --> 00:32:19.133
Isn't it hard to exert strength without teeth?

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:26.366
You often tell us to clench our teeth
but I don't have any to start with.

00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:32.033
Clench your teeth.

00:32:35.466 --> 00:32:37.766
Again, clench.

00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:41.333
I never knew what to do.

00:32:43.633 --> 00:32:45.700
That's kind of sad.

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:48.000
I thought you were saying it on purpose.

00:32:48.133 --> 00:32:51.800
No way. I'm saying it to everyone.

00:32:53.166 --> 00:32:56.000
Were you hurt?

00:32:56.133 --> 00:32:57.933
No! Why would I be?

00:32:59.100 --> 00:33:02.966
- You didn't see your father at his deathbed?
- No, I didn't.

00:33:04.033 --> 00:33:08.866
My father was kind of crazy.

00:33:10.300 --> 00:33:16.633
He would get mad at smallest things.

00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:26.666
He wasn't a normal father.

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.900
Was he physical?

00:33:29.233 --> 00:33:32.700
He used a wooden sword.

00:33:33.033 --> 00:33:37.166
- He hit you with a wooden sword?
- Yes.

00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:42.433
I always thought about hitting him back.

00:33:42.966 --> 00:33:48.566
But if the cops came I would be the one arrested.

00:33:50.833 --> 00:33:59.266
I heard he asked if he could
see me again before he died.

00:34:07.433 --> 00:34:13.900
Apparently, he could barely even speak.

00:34:22.233 --> 00:34:25.266
How did that make you feel?

00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:38.600
Death was probably his punishment.
That's what I think.

00:34:41.966 --> 00:34:47.566
I didn't feel any sort of sadness.

00:34:48.833 --> 00:34:53.500
- Even though he wanted to see you?
- Even though he wanted to see me.

00:34:56.366 --> 00:34:59.366
I didn't feel anything.

00:35:11.733 --> 00:35:17.766
Hirakawa's debut building is gone.

00:35:19.066 --> 00:35:20.833
What did you do here?

00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:24.900
We did our Osaka performance.

00:35:25.933 --> 00:35:30.533
In 2010, it was Sokerissa's 3rd time performing.

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:35.500
Who were the members back then?

00:35:35.633 --> 00:35:47.433
These two, Ito and 4 others who have gone.

00:35:52.766 --> 00:35:54.766
One of them died.

00:35:55.833 --> 00:35:59.700
There were more homeless members 8 years ago.

00:36:00.100 --> 00:36:07.233
Homeless life got hard for them
and many stopped showing up.

00:36:07.600 --> 00:36:14.466
The applause coming from the audience
may motivate you to dance.

00:36:14.600 --> 00:36:18.733
But life gets too hard for some of them.

00:36:19.066 --> 00:36:26.300
Current members have stuck around,
and we have better trust.

00:36:30.233 --> 00:36:34.600
Here is your payment.

00:36:35.100 --> 00:36:45.233
I pay the members after each performance.

00:36:45.866 --> 00:36:55.100
I'm actually in debt because of Sokerissa.
I need to figure out a way to pay them back.

00:36:56.733 --> 00:37:06.066
Aside from practice, I mostly just work.
I wake up at 5am and leave home by 6am.

00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.833
What is your work?

00:37:08.100 --> 00:37:18.200
I work in construction.
Building furniture and dealing with interiors.

00:37:19.366 --> 00:37:25.133
- You work for Sokerissa funds?
- Yes, we need more funds.

00:37:27.066 --> 00:37:28.900
Why?

00:37:29.266 --> 00:37:31.466
Why?

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:40.233
Sokerissa isn't really profitable.

00:37:47.033 --> 00:37:48.500
Hello everyone!

00:37:48.633 --> 00:37:49.900
Hello!

00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:56.100
I am Aoki, the founder of
this dance group, "Newcomer H Sokerissa!"

00:37:57.266 --> 00:38:02.666
At a summer festival in Nishinari
dancing with workshop participants.

00:38:51.266 --> 00:38:53.966
Stop that shit!

00:38:59.966 --> 00:39:02.533
Go home!

00:39:44.266 --> 00:39:48.300
What the hell is this!

00:39:57.266 --> 00:40:01.866
I heard many of the audience yelling at first.

00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:03.400
I heard that too.

00:40:03.700 --> 00:40:06.366
Someone said "Stop this shit!"

00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:13.133
It was amazing in many ways.
What a great experience.

00:40:23.833 --> 00:40:31.433
I see Sokerissa's work as art but
some may see it as a rehabilitation process.

00:40:31.766 --> 00:40:38.200
Maybe that's the route we should go for.

00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:46.366
Then maybe they would relate more.

00:40:46.533 --> 00:40:48.766
But I don't want to do that.

00:40:51.233 --> 00:40:57.500
I have a mixed feeling now.
Not in a bad way.

00:41:00.266 --> 00:41:01.900
Well...

00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:11.200
It's those men's bodies that are doing the dance,
but that doesn't mean I want to reveal their life.

00:41:11.400 --> 00:41:16.966
I'm not trying to idealize homeless life.

00:41:17.366 --> 00:41:28.500
I want to show the ability and the senses of someone
who has experienced living on the street.

00:41:28.933 --> 00:41:36.233
I find that kind of dance very appealing,
and that's what I want to spread.

00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:50.800
Of course, you might feel their hardships
but feeling sorry for them is not really the point.

00:41:54.100 --> 00:41:58.766
Shinjuku, Jan 2019

00:42:54.166 --> 00:43:02.000
It's pathetic that I'm still homeless.

00:43:04.266 --> 00:43:07.600
But I'm content with this life.

00:43:07.733 --> 00:43:12.666
Although there may be better ways to live.

00:43:29.133 --> 00:43:50.000
My biggest regret is not pursing or trying to
find what I want to do with my life.

00:43:51.066 --> 00:43:59.466
I never aimed for anything.

00:43:59.966 --> 00:44:04.166
Just kept on living...

00:44:07.900 --> 00:44:13.233
I always ran away from everything.

00:44:14.533 --> 00:44:23.166
After 60, the only way to run away is to die.
Maybe it's heaven.

00:44:23.300 --> 00:44:27.033
I don't know if I'll get to go to heaven.

00:44:27.700 --> 00:44:34.733
What's left of me before death is my body.
That's how I look at it.

00:44:35.400 --> 00:44:42.933
I want to use all of me.
It may sound a bit extreme but –

00:44:43.533 --> 00:44:51.266
I want to use my body to the fullest
before I die, through dance.

00:44:54.466 --> 00:45:00.433
If I keep dancing...

00:45:02.400 --> 00:45:13.333
Then maybe I can face the end of
my life with less regret.

00:45:30.500 --> 00:45:35.766
I went to interview for a newspaper delivery job.
They asked me to start on Tuesday.

00:45:36.066 --> 00:45:43.066
I have to do both morning and afternoon deliveries
which means I won't be able to go to Sokerissa.

00:45:43.566 --> 00:45:46.666
- So, you won't go anymore?
- I won't go anymore.

00:45:46.800 --> 00:45:52.066
I told Aoki that I'm taking a break,
but I don't intend to return.

00:45:52.500 --> 00:45:53.666
For good?

00:45:53.800 --> 00:45:57.266
I won't return until my life is stable.

00:46:00.400 --> 00:46:03.366
I'm trying to go off welfare.

00:46:06.866 --> 00:46:08.733
You'll do newspaper delivery for a while?

00:46:08.866 --> 00:46:13.233
Yes, I start today.
I'm going there at noon.

00:46:14.333 --> 00:46:17.200
I've made my decision.

00:46:17.800 --> 00:46:21.533
You haven't worked for a long time.
Why start now?

00:46:21.700 --> 00:46:24.000
Don't say that.

00:46:26.533 --> 00:46:28.066
Don't say it like that.

00:46:30.133 --> 00:46:34.733
This probably won't happen, so it's purely hypothetical –

00:46:34.900 --> 00:46:43.500
but if I ever find a girlfriend,
how can I tell her that I live on welfare?

00:46:45.566 --> 00:46:50.466
If I stay like this,
I'll never find a girlfriend.

00:46:51.400 --> 00:46:54.600
- Is that the main reason?
- Yes.

00:47:36.533 --> 00:47:39.100
I didn't want to talk about this but –

00:47:40.466 --> 00:47:43.033
my parents died.

00:47:49.700 --> 00:47:52.666
- Both of them?
- Both.

00:47:53.633 --> 00:47:55.566
How?

00:47:55.900 --> 00:47:57.133
Not quite sure.

00:47:57.300 --> 00:48:04.733
It seems like my father died from cancer recently.

00:48:08.066 --> 00:48:13.200
My mother had already passed away.

00:48:13.500 --> 00:48:20.566
I heard about all this just last week.

00:48:24.433 --> 00:48:33.766
I got an email about their death
while I was selling "Big Issue."

00:48:35.433 --> 00:48:40.400
I teared up a little thinking about them.

00:48:40.933 --> 00:48:43.800
They are my parents after all.

00:48:50.666 --> 00:48:52.866
I don't enjoy being homeless.

00:48:53.033 --> 00:48:56.166
It's painful, cold, and no good comes from it.

00:48:56.333 --> 00:49:01.666
Everyone has their own reason about
why they became homeless.

00:49:02.533 --> 00:49:07.033
For me, it was the only way to stay true to myself.