Awa-odori — Most popular dance in Japan

—————— Awa-odori at Koiwa / Tokyo — Photo from Tokyobling blog.

Following the post, Tanbo-art, someone asked me why some of the Japanese

culture were not introduced or even reported to the west at all ?

And, what is the current popular culture in Japan — are those well known

“Japanese culture, such as Manga, Anime, Cos-ple” really popular in there,

or are they only on the exaggerated western media ?

Well, I’m not on the street of Tokyo today, so, I can’t tell you what exactly though,

at least I can see the news, info etc on the Net, deeper than the western people.

And I can tell a reality I could read from the photos etc. = like random photo of

a Tokyo street never show the people walking in a fashion of anime character or

in its costume = they gather only in a very limited place or occasion, such as an

anime-festival. Very different from such as the Punk culture in the west on the 80^th.

What the most popular culture in Japan I can tell you these days is, Awa-odori.

(Improvised street dancing originated from the Awa region of Shikoku.

— You can Google and read it in the Wiki.)

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Apparently, the spread of this dance started after 80^th (after I left Japan) =

(when I was in Japan, Awa-odori was limited only in Awa (Tokushima on Shikoku),

then after it sprung out to Koenji (west of Shinjuku / Tokyo) it was copied and

spread all over Japan.)  The dance was organized and practised in the each local

group which was called “Ren” while having their own musicians too.

(= Somewhat an equivalent of Brazilian Samba.)

In the Net sphere, an English blogger lives in Japan, Tokyobling, showing many

local Awa-odori events, in fact so many, which made me realize that it was now

almost a national culture held by the men and women, young and old alike.

(Indeed, it amazed me “How on earth, from where so many people came out to do

such a silly dance ?” —– While people dancing they chant “Odoru Aho ni Miru Aho,

Onaji Aho nara Odoranya Son son” = Dancing fools and the watching fools, be the

same fools why not dance !)

Japanese local festival, Matsuri was originated from the local Shinto Shrine, but

now, on top of the traditional Matsuri, the Awa-odori became even more popular

community event and the established culture in Japan.   I guess, this must be

utterly new to your knowledge.  (and you may feel it’s funny but not cool. 😀 )

(When I try the dance, I found its movement was slower than the Aflo, more like

a staged comical acting = doesn’t taxing the body’s dynamic balance nor fire the

reaction on the rhythm.     Awa-odori’s emphasis was created by the gap or

the moment of holt = “Ma / 間” which is

the opposite of the western syncopation (compressed force).)

—– Well, this post is, for your pass time.  🙂

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