 Most viewed - Suginami-ku 杉並区 |
Koenji Awa Odori569 views
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496 views
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404 views
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The 50th Koenji Awa Odori Dance during Aug. 26-27, 2006.330 views
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These days, they have 10,000 dancers from 70 dance groups and over 1 million spectators. Also see the video at YouTube.323 viewsいろは連
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連279 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連276 views
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270 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連242 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Daisan Kikaku-ren 第三企画連234 views
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Koenji Awa Odori232 views
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The 53rd Koenji Awa Odori folk dance festival was held on Aug. 29-30, 2009 during 6 pm to 9 pm. I went on the 29th, right after Asakusa Samba.225 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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Koenji Awa Odori dance, Tokyo212 views
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The troupe can consist of children (as young as age 2 or 3), women, and men.198 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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Koenji Awa Odori196 views
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This lady always poses for me, from Takarabune-ren. Koenji Awa Odori 2009.190 views
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The dancers hop on one leg.187 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183 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連183 views
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Koenji has many shopping arcades and side streets teeming with eateries.181 views
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JR Koenji Station and Awa Odori sign.175 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連174 views
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The dancers wear a light kimono and half-moon straw hats.172 views
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After it's over...170 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.168 views
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Koenji Awa Odori 2009168 views
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The parade route centers on JR Koenji Station. There are wide and narrow portions of the route.165 viewsIf it rains, they may stop the festival early.
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美遊ひよこ連165 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連163 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連161 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連161 views
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Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri161 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連160 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連160 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連158 views
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Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo158 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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156 views美遊ひよこ連
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Tengu-ren 天狗連156 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連154 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連154 views
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Budo-ren 富道連153 views富道連
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連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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美遊ひよこ連150 views
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Bikkuri-ren びっくり連149 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連149 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連149 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連149 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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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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The men look more like the "fools."146 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連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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Silver-ren 志留波阿連145 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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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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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連143 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連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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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連142 views
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Taiko drummers jamming. Tensui-ren 天水連142 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142 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連141 views
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Koenji Awa Odori141 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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140 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140 views
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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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It is most crowded along the large avenues. The crowd is several rows deep. Those in the front are expected to sit down.139 views
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Each dance troupe is called a "ren." This is the Suiko-ren. 吹鼓連138 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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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連137 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連137 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連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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Tensho-ren 天翔連137 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連136 views
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A few troupes are company-sponsored and take on the company's name like this one, a construction company.135 viewsThere is even the Microsoft-ren. (Not pictured here.)
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連135 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連135 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連135 views
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連134 views
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134 viewsMidori-ren 美踊連
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連134 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連134 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連133 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連132 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連132 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連131 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連131 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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Mitaka-ren みたか連129 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連129 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連129 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連129 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連129 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連128 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連128 views
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中128 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連128 views
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連128 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連127 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連127 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連127 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連127 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連127 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連125 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連125 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連125 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連124 views
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Tensui-ren 天水連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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122 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連122 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連122 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連122 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連122 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連121 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連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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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連120 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連120 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連119 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連119 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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Sharaku-ren 写楽連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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Hanamichi-ren 花道連117 views
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Ageo Koiki-ren (from Saitama) あげお小粋連116 views
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116 viewsSharaku-ren 写楽連
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連116 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連116 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連116 views
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Damudan-ren (Kagurazaka) だむだん連. They like to pose for the camera.116 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連115 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連114 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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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連113 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連112 views
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Suiren 粋輦111 views
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JR Asagaya Station is slightly decorated with Tanabata streamers.105 views
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Damudan-ren (Kagurazaka) だむだん連. They like to pose for the camera.84 views
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Aoi-ren76 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 75 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72 views
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Kurenai-ren 紅連71 views
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Nice to see a non-Japanese dancer.70 views
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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70 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 2/2 高円寺阿波おどり69 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 1/3 - Kokesaku 苔作69 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 2/3 - Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連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 1/2 高円寺阿波おどり68 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 3/3 - Asuka-ren 飛鳥連68 views
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Women dance with their hips high and knees bent.67 views
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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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Taiko drummers65 views
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For five days centering on Aug. 7, a shopping arcade called Asagaya Pearl Center holds the Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri featuring colorful streamers and popular characters festooning the shops. These photos were taken in Aug. 2009.64 views
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The tanabata decorations were quite impressive.64 views
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Kurenai-ren 紅連64 views
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Men dance with their hips down low. 伍楽連63 views
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The festival is said to have originated from a Star Festival in China. According to Chinese legend, east of the Milky Way there was a Heavenly King whose daughter worked as a weaver. However, when she married a herdsman, she quit weaving.62 views
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Asagaya Tanabata is unique to have the year's popular characters and themes among the decorations. Moomin62 views
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Umbrellas62 views
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Hanamichi-ren (Koenji/Mitaka) 花道連62 views
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They shout, "Yattosa Yatto Yatto Yoisa Yattosa"61 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連61 views
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Entrance to Asagaya Pearl Center. Originally, it had no roof. But in 1962, a roof was built, making it indoors and convenient for tthe tanabata festival.61 views
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This angered her father who banished the herdsman to the other side of the Milky Way. He allowed the two to meet only once a year on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh month (according to the lunar calendar).61 views
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My YouTube video featuring three outstanding awa odori dance troupes on Aug. 29, 2009 in Koenji: Kokesaku (from Tokushima) 苔作, Edo-uki-ren 江戸浮連, and Edokko-ren 江戸っ子連.61 views
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Women sometimes perform men's dances. Goraku-ren 伍楽連60 views
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Edokko-ren 江戸っ子連60 views
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60 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道蓮60 views
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60 views
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At the end of the arcade, there is an outdoor shopping mall going to the main road.60 views
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「ヤットサー ヤットヤット ヨイサー ヤットサー！」59 views掛け声
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Child dancer59 views
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JR Asagaya Station during the Tanabata Matsuri in early Aug. Get out the south (minami) exit of the station.59 views
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Nice to see a non-Japanese drummer.58 views
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The Asagaya Tanabata Festival is characterized by these giant characters hanging above, making it pretty unique.58 views
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This troupe, called Kokesaku (苔作), was spectacular. They are from Tokushima. This boy (or maybe girl) in front, dressed like a kite, performed acrobatic cartwheels. Watch the video.58 views
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Hiyoko-ren57 views
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Inside Asagaya Pearl Center during Tanabata Matsuri in early Aug.57 views
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Pikachu57 views
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57 views
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One thing I like about Koenji Awa Odori is that it's huge (the biggest awa odori in the Tokyo/Kanto area), but there are still places where it's less crowded where you can see the dancers up close.57 views
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Little duckies trail the drummers.56 views
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The festival attracts a huge crowd, and the decorations have much improved since the last time I saw this years ago.56 views
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Fool's disguise55 views
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The Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri started in 1954 by local merchants to attract more customers.55 views
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The weaver is represented by the Vega star and the herdsman by the Altair star. As a prayer to produce better arts and crafts, the Imperial Court and the warrior class paid homage to these two stars from ancient times. This practice spread to the masses.54 views
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