 Most viewed - Koenji Awa Odori Dance 高円寺阿波おどり |
These days, they have 10,000 dancers from 70 dance groups and over 1 million spectators. Also see the video at YouTube.322 viewsいろは連
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連278 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連275 views
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Crowd at JR Koenji Station on Awa Odori night.213 viewsThe Koenji Awa Odori is basically a parade of dancers. Many groups of dancers from various parts of Japan participate in the parade that follows the main shopping streets near Koenji Station on the Japan Railways Chuo Line in Tokyo.
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The troupe can consist of children (as young as age 2 or 3), women, and men.197 viewsThe Awa Odori originated 400 years ago in Tokushima Prefecture (in Shikoku) where it is one of Japan's most famous festivals. Although it is not as large as the one in Tokushima, the Koenji Awa Odori in Tokyo has become a major summer festival in Tokyo.
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The dancers hop on one leg.184 viewsSo what is Tokushima's Awa Odori doing in Koenji, Tokyo? It was first organized by a youth group of Koenji's retail merchants in 1957. They wanted to hold an event to attract more shoppers to the area. Neighboring town Asagaya had already started the Tanabata Festival in 1954. The Tanabata Matsuri, of course, is from up north in Sendai, Miyagi Pref. So the Koenji folks decided to transplant a southern festival to Koenji. That was the Awa Odori.
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連181 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連181 views
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Koenji has many shopping arcades and side streets teeming with eateries.180 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連174 views
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JR Koenji Station and Awa Odori sign.174 views
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The dancers wear a light kimono and half-moon straw hats.171 views
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After it's over...169 views
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The Koenji Awa Odori has become a major summer festival in Tokyo. It had a humble beginning in 1957 when it was originally called the Koenji Baka Odori. "Baka" means fool.167 views
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The parade route centers on JR Koenji Station. There are wide and narrow portions of the route.164 viewsIf it rains, they may stop the festival early.
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美遊ひよこ連163 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連163 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連161 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連160 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連160 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連159 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連158 views
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The dance troupe typically has subgroups of children, women, men, and musicians. Suiko-ren 吹鼓連157 views吹鼓連
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155 views美遊ひよこ連
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Tengu-ren 天狗連154 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連153 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連153 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連153 views
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Other dancers might also wear a simpler outfit of short pants and happi coat. Swinging around a fan is also common.152 views花の木連
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152 views美遊ひよこ連
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Budo-ren 富道連151 views富道連
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美遊ひよこ連150 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連149 views
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Bikkuri-ren びっくり連148 views
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The dance troupes come from in and out of town. A few from Tokushima as well as Kanagawa, Chiba, Shizuoka, and other prefectures. Edokko-ren 江戸っ子連148 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連148 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連148 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連148 views
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One trademark of the dancers is the crescent-shaped straw hats.147 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連146 views
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These pictures show over 40 dance troupes which I photographed in 2004 and 2005. Budo-ren 富道連145 views富道連
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Many of the troupe names have pretty meanings such as Maicho-ren which means "Dancing Butterfly." 舞蝶連145 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連145 views
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The men look more like the "fools."144 views
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Kokesaku-ren 苔作連144 views
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連144 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連144 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連144 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連144 views
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The first Koenji Awa Odori in 1957 had only 57 dancers and about 2,000 spectators. Iroha-ren いろは連143 viewsThere are now about 30 to 40 Awa Odori parades held in Tokyo alone, usually in shopping areas. The one in Koenji is the largest in Tokyo.
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Musicians always bring up the rear of the dance troupe. Taiko drums, flutes, and shamisen. The Awa Odori has a distinct rhythm and beat. It really makes you want to get up and dance.143 views
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Tokushima and Tokyo have the most number of Awa Odori troupes with 40 to 50 each.142 viewsEdokko-ren 江戸っ子連
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連142 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連142 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連141 views
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Taiko drummers jamming. Tensui-ren 天水連141 views
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Shamisen player who knows how to smile for my camera. Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連141 views
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Each dance troupe starts with a lantern bearer showing the name of the troupe.140 viewsThe dance is quite simple. While bobbing up and down, the dancer holds her hands above the head and shakes the fingers. This hand gesture indicates that the person has gone crazy. It is therefore nicknamed the "fool's dance." The dance is held on the last weekend in August.
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Kokesaku-ren 苔作連140 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連140 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連140 views
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139 viewsEdokko-ren 江戸っ子連
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The dancers also let out a yell as they dance. Hana-no-ki-ren 花の木連139 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連138 views
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The Aoi Shin-ren is from Koenji and one of the largest Awa Odori troupes. They are great performers and one of my favorites.138 views
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It is most crowded along the large avenues. The crowd is several rows deep. Those in the front are expected to sit down.137 views
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Each dance troupe is called a "ren." This is the Suiko-ren. 吹鼓連137 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連137 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連137 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連137 views
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連136 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連136 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連136 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連135 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連135 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連134 views
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連133 views
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A few troupes are company-sponsored and take on the company's name like this one, a construction company.133 viewsThere is even the Microsoft-ren. (Not pictured here.)
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連133 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連133 views
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132 viewsMidori-ren 美踊連
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連132 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連131 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連131 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連131 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連131 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連130 views
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Sometimes you see a gaijin participant. F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連129 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連128 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連128 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連128 views
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連128 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連127 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連127 views
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中127 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連127 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連127 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連127 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連126 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連126 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連126 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連126 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連126 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連124 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連124 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連124 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連123 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連123 views
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Tensui-ren 天水連123 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連123 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連122 views
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121 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連121 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連121 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連121 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連121 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連121 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連121 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連120 views
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Yurikamome-ren ゆりかもめ連120 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連120 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連120 views
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From the Suginami Ward Office, Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連119 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連119 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連118 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連118 views
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Suiren 粋輦118 views
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中118 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連117 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連116 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連116 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連116 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連116 views
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Ageo Koiki-ren (from Saitama) あげお小粋連115 views
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115 viewsSharaku-ren 写楽連
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連115 views
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Koganei is a city in Tokyo with a park famous for sakura cherry blossoms. Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連114 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連114 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連113 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連113 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連112 views
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110 views
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Suiren 粋輦110 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連109 views
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My video of 2016 Koenji Awa Odori (56 troupes) 第60回高円寺阿波おどり 56連の総集編 74 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2013 Part 2/3 第57回 東京高円寺阿波おどり 総集編70 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2013 Part 3/3 第57回 東京高円寺阿波おどり 総集編69 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2015 第59回高円寺阿波おどり 40連の総集編68 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 2/2 高円寺阿波おどり68 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 1/3 - Kokesaku 苔作68 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 2/3 - Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連68 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 1/2 高円寺阿波おどり67 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 3/3 - Asuka-ren 飛鳥連67 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2013 Part 1/3 第57回 東京高円寺阿波おどり 総集編66 views
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My video of Maicho-ren at 2023 Koenji Awa Odori on Aug. 26, 2023.20 views
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My video of 2023 Koenji Awa Odori. 第64回高円寺阿波おどり 19 views
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My video of 2018 Koenji Awa Odori 第62回高円寺阿波おどり 18 views
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My video of Sharaku-ren 写楽連 at 2023 Koenji Awa Odori on Aug. 26, 2023.18 views
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My video of Hanamichi-ren 花道連 at 2023 Koenji Awa Odori on Aug. 26, 2023.16 views
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My video of 2017 Koenji Awa Odori (56 troupes) 第61回高円寺阿波おどり 14 views
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