Buzz
Hundreds moving in sync, full of energy and joy. That's what the captivating Japanese summer is all about with Yosakoi dancing.
Yosakoi, meaning 'Invite you to this night!' in the local dialect of Kochi region, traces its origins back to the city of Kochi (Japan) in 1954 and has been growing ever since. It's a group dance for teams of up to 150 people, stemming from the traditional Awa Odori summer dance of Japan, involving both dancing and advancing forward.
Each Yosakoi dance team is led by a Jikatasha - a music cart equipped with speakers, drums, and a few main controllers. Jikatasha is intricately decorated, each team with its own style. Teams can use pre-recorded music or even have a live band on Jikatasha with lively and powerful background music, creatively composed based on the song 'Yosakoi Naruko Dancing' by Takemasa Eisaku.
The costumes worn during Yosakoi performances are diverse, with the traditional happi coats and yukata coats with bright colors being the most common. Teams design their own costumes based on historical events, current fashion trends, or ethnic clothing. A must-have prop is the Naruko, consisting of black and gold wooden bars attached to the wooden body, designed to match the color and costume chosen by the group.
By 2005, Yosakoi dancing had spread all over Japan. It's even performed at school sports events. Notably, Yosakoi participants come from different age groups, both young and old, regardless of gender. Anyone can join Yosakoi dancing. Dancers wearing traditional coats, holding naruko, dancing and moving with vigor and precision.
The bright smiles on the faces of the performers are an indispensable part. Blending in with the lively dance moves, laughing with friends will leave you with unforgettable memories.
In the summer days in Japan, there are hundreds of teams from all over Japan and come together to create a magnificent dance party. The festivals in Hokkaido are held in June, the festivals in Kochi in August, the festivals in Tokyo, the Super Yosakoi festival “Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi” takes place in August and the festivals in Kyushu, on Sasebo Avenue (Nagasaki-ken) at the end of October. The festival has become a distinctive traditional cultural day of the Japanese people and has attracted thousands of tourists to participate together every year.
A lively summer is once again ushered in by the bustling street dances.
***
Source: Mytour Travel Guide - According to: ngoisao.net.
MytourNovember 19, 2015
