阿波踊り Kimuraren: Dancing at the Horikiri Sweet Flag Festival - 6/9/2024 HorikiriShobuen, Tokyo, Japan

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  • Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
  • #阿波おどり #travel #awaodori #dance #japan #JapaneseEvent
    Performers: Kimuraren and Koshigaya City Office Ikiikiren
    Time Stamps:
    0:00 Intro
    0:06 opening
    1:30 children's dance
    2:26 Women's dance and Men's fan & lantern dance
    4:48 Women's dance and Men's fan dance
    6:45 Women's dance and Men's lantern dance (slow)
    9:07 Men's fan & lantern dances
    10:00 closing
    This channel introduces the traditional Japanese dance and music of 'Awa Odori,' a tradition that has been passed down for over 400 years and is performed in streets, squares, and stages. Dancers belong to teams called 'ren,' each of which entertains the audience with unique performances and costumes. The dance comprises various parts, including the 'men's dance,' 'women's dance,' and 'children's dance.’
    In the men's dance, participants wear 'yukata' or 'happi' and perform powerful movements with lowered hips. Props such as fans and lanterns are commonly used. Despite its name, women also take part in this segment.
    The women's dance involves wearing an 'ami-gasa' woven hat, a yukata, and tying a 'susoyoke' around the lower body to lift the yukata. Despite wearing cumbersome 'geta' sandals, they mesmerize the audience with graceful movements and group beauty while maintaining a smile.
    Children's dance teams typically consist of children up to sixth grade, with older students transitioning to the men's or women's dance. Additionally, there is the 'yakko dance,' where performers manipulate humanoid kites.
    Awa Odori is accompanied by live music played by musicians known as 'narimono.' The main instruments include the 'kane,' which acts as a conductor, along with the 'oodaiko,' 'shime-daiko,' 'shinobue,' and 'shamisen.' As the quality of the performance greatly affects the visual appeal of the dance, music plays a crucial role.
    Glossary:
    Yukata: A casual summer kimono made of lightweight fabric designed to absorb sweat and allow air circulation.
    Happi: A traditional Japanese garment worn by festival participants or craftsmen.
    Ami-gasa: A traditional Japanese hat worn to protect against rain, snow, and direct sunlight.
    Susoyoke: A type of undergarment worn with a kimono, used to prevent kimono hems from getting damaged.
    Geta: Traditional Japanese wooden footwear, characterized by a flat rectangular wooden base with two teeth on the bottom surface and 'hanao' straps passing between the big toe and second toe. They produce a distinctive 'clack-clack' sound when walking.
    Takahari Lantern: This is a lantern with the name of the dance group (ren) written on it. It has a large cylindrical shape resembling a jujube fruit (natsume), and it is hung on a long pole with two arms. Positioned at the front of the group, it stands out and helps members of the group navigate through crowded areas or allows spectators to easily spot their favorite dance group. The lantern itself is made of Japanese paper, bamboo strips, and wire, and it is also referred to as ‘Takahari.'
    Yakko kite: A type of kite made to resemble a person with both sleeves stretched to the sides.
    Kane (Gong): A flat, circular percussion instrument made of copper or a copper alloy. It is struck with a stick tipped with deer antler, producing resonant tones when struck on the plate. The kane not only directs other instruments but also serves as a conductor, guiding the performance of the entire Awa Odori ensemble.
    Oodaiko (Large Drum): A sizable drum that emanates deep, resonating tones reminiscent of the heartbeat. Its powerful sound enhances the dynamism and intensity of the dance, filling the performance space with energy.
    Shimedaiko (Small Drum): A smaller drum known for its high-pitched sound. It is worn around the neck and struck rhythmically around the lower abdomen. The shimedaiko uplifts the spirits of both dancers and spectators alike, adding an invigorating rhythm to the performance.
    Tsuzumi: A traditional Japanese drum held in the left hand and struck with the right hand against the right clavicle. It produces a rich, resonant sound that adds depth and dynamics to the accompanying music or responses.
    Shinobue: A traditional Japanese transverse flute celebrated for its clear and melodious tones. Whether played with emotional depth or lively energy, the shinobue enriches the atmosphere by carrying the main melody of the "zomeki" with grace.
    Shamisen: A quintessential stringed instrument in Japan, characterized by its slightly rounded rectangular body and long neck ('sao') with an 'ebio' at the tip. Typically played with a 'bachi' plectrum, the shamisen evokes a sense of urgency akin to the spirit of "zomeki."
    Zomeki: "Zomeki" refers to lively and exuberant dances that captivate with their vivaciousness and flair. Specifically, it denotes a spirited dance marked by a two-beat rhythm, forming the foundation of today's Awa Odori performances.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 5

  • @ffadelf
    @ffadelf Місяць тому +1

    Please translate for me, What's the leader said? And what the others said in the beginning?

    • @afterglow.of.awaodori
      @afterglow.of.awaodori  Місяць тому +2

      Thanks for watching. Off-screen, there’s probably a guy handling the gong who says, “Let's start,” while the guy in the center of the screen uses a fan to point and says, “This is the center mark for the dance,” to the dancers around him. The woman on the left side of the screen is pointing to the pink part of her yukata and saying, “Pink, pink,” to the audience, likely some friends who came to watch. Normally, we wouldn’t hear this kind of small talk, so it feels odd. I have no clue why she did that.

    • @ffadelf
      @ffadelf Місяць тому +1

      @@afterglow.of.awaodori را
      Thank you for clarifying. Is this folk art common in Japan or in a specific region?

    • @afterglow.of.awaodori
      @afterglow.of.awaodori  Місяць тому +2

      There are various theories about the origins of Awa Odori, so it's hard to say definitively where it began. But it's safe to say it's spread nationwide. Many say it started in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, but others claim Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, as its birthplace.
      I once attended a gathering where a grad student talked about "Awa Odori and regional revitalization." She reported that "festivals using Awa Odori" are held in 63 places across Japan's 47 prefectures. Her presentation focused on the economic benefits of Awa Odori, noting that many places where it's danced aren't counted, so there are likely even more places enjoying Awa Odori than reported.
      Some of the most famous Awa Odori events are in Tokushima City (Tokushima Prefecture), Koenji (Tokyo), and Minami-Koshigaya (Saitama). For instance, the Koenji Awa Odori draws 10,000 dancers and a million spectators over two days at the end of August, making it one of Tokyo's biggest events. If you get the chance, it's worth checking out and makes for a great conversation starter.

    • @ffadelf
      @ffadelf Місяць тому

      @@afterglow.of.awaodori Valuable and comprehensive information, thank you very much.