What happens at Awa Odori?
From August 12 to 15, spectators and dancers come to Tokushima in the thousands to see this “Fool’s Dance” whose origins date back 400 years. The nickname comes from the lyrics to a common dance song: “Fools dance and fools watch, if both are fools, you might as well dance”.
Do you know what Awa Odori is?
The Awa Dance Festival (阿波踊り, Awa Odori) is held from 12 to 15 August as part of the Obon festival in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku in Japan. Awa Odori is the largest dance festival in Japan, attracting over 1.3 million tourists every year.
Why is Awa Odori celebrated?
According to legend, the Awa Dance Festival officially began in the late 1500s, when Lord Hachisuka Iemasa wanted to celebrate the opening of Tokushima Castle. After much sake and celebration, the townsfolk began to form a disorderly parade through the streets while others sang and played music.
What city of Japan is famous for the Awa Odori?
Tokushima City
The Awa Odori is Tokushima’s most famous festival and the subject of national attention every August when well over a million people turn out in the streets of Tokushima City to watch or participate in this traditional folk dance.
What does Odori mean in Japanese?
Definition of odori : any lively Japanese folk or theater dance characterized by rapid footwork —distinguished from mai.
Where did Awa Odori originate?
Although the origin is not clear, it is said to have been a popular late-Edo Period folk song and the indigo merchants brought the song to Awa from Kyoto and Osaka.
What does Odori mean?
theater dance
Definition of odori : any lively Japanese folk or theater dance characterized by rapid footwork —distinguished from mai.
What Matsuri means?
festival
matsuri, (Japanese: “festival”), in general, any of a wide variety of civil and religious ceremonies in Japan; more particularly, the shrine festivals of Shintō.
What is Japanese Awa dance?
It’s called Awa odori (dance), and people gather from across the nation from August 12 to 15 both to dance and watch. Awa is the old name for Tokushima Prefecture. Awa odori is part of the Bon festivities, which are held to welcome one’s ancestors back to this world for a few days.
What is Japan’s biggest holiday?
New Year
New Year (shogatsu): This is the most important holiday in Japan. While only January 1 is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed through January 3.
What is famous festival in Japan?
Gion Matsuri is perhaps Japan’s best-known festival, and possibly the largest as well. It has a long history (dating back to the year 869) and lasts the entire month of July, culminating in a parade of floats — the Yamaboko Junko — on July 17th.
Why is Matsuri so important?
The Japanese have believed that God dwells in everything as said, “eight million gods.” Matsuri (Japanese cultural festival) is held to show thanks to God for nature, for life and for growth in a community. It is also an opportunity for Japanese people with severe and hardworking images to explode their energy.