Japanese Line Dance?

We have very old "Line Dance" called 'Awa Odori'. People in Tokushima of Shikoku Island dance in mid summer from more than 400 years ago. It's "progressive" line dance. Step is very simple but so sophisticated. You can dance easily as a beginner, however, you have to do much practice to show your dance. From August 12 until 15 every year there is a big dance festival in Tokushima of Awa Odori. This participative event includes several ten thousands people, both Japanese and foreigners, precision-dancing through the streets with simple straw hats decorated with paper flowers. Accompanied by musicians, the kooky parade is heaps of big-time fun! (Tokushima Shinbun Net) Do you wanna dance? OK. Let's go! Choreographer: Unknown Description: Progressive line dance (it's OK to change wall sometime.), 4 counts There is slight difference between man's and woman's. Music: Special "Ohayashi" music If you want to listen it, click here. Count & Step description (Man's Step) 1 Touch R toe diagonally forward right 2 Step R across L 3 Touch L toe diagonally forward left 4 Step L across R Start again singing; Ah-! Erai-yaccha, erai-yaccha, yoi yoi yoi yoi! Odoru ahou ni miru ahou, onaji aho nara odora na son son! (Fools are dancing and fools are watching too .Both are fools ,why not dance!) (Woman's Step) 1 Kick R back 2 Step R forward 3 Kick L back 4 Step L forward Start again! (Woman's Step) 1 Kick If you want to learn more about Awa Odori and to be a good dancer, see the web site; Welcome To " Awa Odori" World! They have nice information about Awa Odori in English such as * The History of "Awa Odori" * Musical Accompaniment for the Awa Dance * Dancing Lesson Awaodori99 If you want to listen "Ohayashi Music" go to Awaodori Net And you can see some some photographs. More about Awa Odori and Tokushima city? Go to Japan IBM web site Hometown Homepage by Japan IBM: Tokushima Prefecture Awa Odori Dance There are many theories regarding the origins of awa odori. When the Tokushima Castle was completed in 1587, the celebration got out of hand and some drunken people are said to have danced their way into the castle grounds. It is also said that awa odori may have been the so called elegant dances performed by dancers from Kyoto to entertain the upper class samurais. Some say that awa odori was a dance to welcome spirits during the bon season. It is clear that the dance has been around for more than 400 years. With both arms in the air, steps follow the rhythm of the music. The ensemble consists of shamisen (a musical instrument similar to a guitar), drums, wooden flutes and gongs. Although there are no set moves to awa odori, dances by famous ren groups are very graceful.

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Copy right 1999. Hiro Suzuki,
This page was originally installed Aug. 15, 1999. Last update: Jan. 2, 2006