The pandemonium of the traditional
Awa Odori is heard again throughout Tokushima prefecture of Japan. Awa Odori is the largest
dance festival in Japan and draws over 12,000 dancers and 1.3 million visitors every year. “Awa”
(阿波) refers to the area of Tokushima during the feudal period in Japanese history,
while “Odori” (踊り) means “dance.” Every August, the Japanese celebrate Obon, which refers
to the few days where the people believe that the spirits of their deceased ancestors return.
Although the term “Awa Odori” was not used until the mid 1900s, Tokushima residents has
celebrated Obon with the traditional dance since the 1700s to “invite” the deceased spirits back
to their relatives. Groups of dancers wear beautiful costumes, sing and dance to the “Awa Song”
accompanied by various traditional instruments. The Awa Odori, is also performed in the Koenji
area in Tokyo, and also yearly attracts over 1 million tourists. The dance in this area was
founded in 1956 by residents of Tokushima that moved to the region, and has now expanded.
Watch our brief video of the Awa Odori taken live at Tokushima, Japan!
Written by Editorial Staff