Yosakoi Festival
In 1954, a variation of the Awa Odori premiered in Kochi City on the small island of Shikoku. It is a very energetic dance that incorporates both traditional and modern styles of music and steps, and it quickly gained popularity and spread throughout all of Japan.
高知よさこい祭り2009 Yosakoi Festival
There are now amateur and professional troupes that practice year round. There are many different yosakoi dance competitions, and men and women of all ages participate.
English: Kochi Yosakoi Festival 2006 日本語: 高知よさこい祭り2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
All dancers are required to carry naruko, wooden clappers originally used in Kochi to scare birds from the rice fields. There is also an official song, “The Yosakoi Naruko Dancing Song” by Takamasa Eisaku, that needs to be included in the composition, at least in part. Aside from that, the teams have freedom to choreograph their routines and design their costumes. Most usually wear happi coats or yukata, and may add many musical instruments and props like flags or floats to their performances.
高知よさこい祭り2008 Yosakoi Festival
The largest Yosakoi festival in the country is still the one in Kochi, which attracts thousands of dancers each year. It is held in early August, in 2013 from August 9-12. The days are filled with dancing and music in many venues along the streets in the city center. Kochi is off the beaten track, but the festival is certainly worth a visit, as are other attractions in the city.
