Gujo-Hachiman is home to a local water spring named Sogi-sui, which was the first to be listed on a list of Japan’s 100 best water sources.Ĭharming townscape of Gujo-Hachiman（photo courtesy of Gujo Hachiman Tourist Association） This area is blessed with water from three rivers, and the town is famous for its abundance of water.
Gujo-Hachiman has historically thrived as a castle town and is famous for its picturesque streets. The Gujo-Hachiman area is the epicenter of Gujo-odori dance. The city has a population of about 400-thousand, and is surrounded by nature. Gujo city stands in central Gifu, which lies northeast of Osaka. Gujo-odori dance festival draws huge crowds of dancers （photo credit: Gujo-Hachiman Tourism Association） Gujo city (Gifu, central Japan): the center of Gujo-odori folk dancing The Gujo-odori festival has continued since the Edo period, and unlike its other two counterparts, the dance festival in Gujo is characterized by its welcoming attitude. Let’s take a closer look at the Gujo-odori folk dance festival of Gifu, in central Japan. Gujo-Hachiman: the center of Gujo-odori folk dance festival A total of 10 dances are said to take place. Another key feature of the Gujo-odori festival is its variety of dances. The most exciting time of the festival is called tetsuya odori, or all-night dancing. The Gujo-odori festival opens for more than 30 days from mid-July until early September, making it Japan’s longest running bon-odori dance festival. Over the generations, Gujo-Hachiman’s residents have sung and danced to this tune starting with a line about leaving Gujo-Hachiman in tears. One of the songs played during the Gujo-odori festival is famous for its lyrics. Huge crowds of dancers at the Gujo-odori dance festival（photo courtesy: Gujo-Hachiman Tourism Association）
The biggest difference between the two other bon-odori dances is that the Gujo-odori dance welcomes anyone to join freely. The dance started in the Edo period and has been designated as an important national intangible folk asset.
The Gujo-odori festival of Gifu, in central Japan, is about 400 years old. The Awa-odori dance is also famous for its distinctive chanting and singing by the dancers.Īwa-odori is performed by many dancing troupes called “ren.” Each group has its own unique costume and choreography, and many Tokushima residents have a favorite dance troupe. The rhythmical dance is performed separately by groups of men and women. The Awa-odori dance is about 400-years old, and is said to have its roots in the ancient Japanese province of Awa. Rows of dancers line the streets at Awa-odori dance festival Awa-odori dance was born in Tokushima, western Japan, but is also performed in the neighborhoods, Koenji and Shimokitazawa, in Tokyo. The four-day event runs every year from August 12, and is Japan’s largest in terms of scale and participant figures. Tokushima 【Awa-odori dance festival】Īwa-odori dance festival is one of Japan’s leading summer festivals. Nishimonai bon-odori stands out from other bon-odori dances because of its graceful and elegant moves. The festival is held in Ugo town every year during August 16 to the 19. Nishimonai bon-odori dance is known for its elegant dance moves One of the dances was first performed by an ascetic monk who prayed for a bumper crop, while the other dance was dedicated to a deceased ruler. The dance’s origins are not exactly clear, but according to legend, the folk dance is a mash-up of two ancient dances. The Nishimonai bon-odori dance festival in Akita, northern Japan, is designated as an important intangible cultural asset of Japan. Akita【Nishimonai bon-odori dance festival】 The events are promoted by the respective communities as traditional art performances, and they draw huge crowds each year. Here’s a quick overview of Japan’s three major bon-odori dance festivals. Different music and choreography are featured at each festival. The term bon-odori generally refers to the many dance festivals held across Japan during the Buddhist bon period. Perhaps this is why bon-odori folk dancing has become a Japanese summer tradition.īon-odori folk dancing is held in various parts of Japan, mostly around August 13 to 15. Most Japanese people consider themselves as non-religious, but Buddhism has played a key role in Japanese life since ancient times. During this period, many Japanese families get together to welcome their ancestors’ spirits into their homes. Bon-odori folk dancing mainly takes place from August 13 through 15, when traditional Buddhist urabon rituals are held. Japan's three major bon-odori folk dance festivalsīon-odori dancing is a harbinger of summer in Japan.
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