 Most viewed - Suginami-ku 杉並区 |
Koenji Awa Odori558 views
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484 views
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391 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.319 viewsいろは連
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The 50th Koenji Awa Odori Dance during Aug. 26-27, 2006.313 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連274 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連274 views
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268 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連236 views
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Koenji Awa Odori225 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Daisan Kikaku-ren 第三企画連225 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.219 views
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Crowd at JR Koenji Station on Awa Odori night.210 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, Tokyo207 views
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The troupe can consist of children (as young as age 2 or 3), women, and men.193 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 Odori189 views
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The dancers hop on one leg.181 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179 views
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This lady always poses for me, from Takarabune-ren. Koenji Awa Odori 2009.176 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連175 views
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Koenji has many shopping arcades and side streets teeming with eateries.174 views
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JR Koenji Station and Awa Odori sign.171 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連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.166 views
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The dancers wear a light kimono and half-moon straw hats.166 views
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After it's over...166 views
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The parade route centers on JR Koenji Station. There are wide and narrow portions of the route.163 viewsIf it rains, they may stop the festival early.
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美遊ひよこ連160 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連160 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連157 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連156 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連156 views
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The dance troupe typically has subgroups of children, women, men, and musicians. Suiko-ren 吹鼓連155 views吹鼓連
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Tensho-ren 天翔連155 views
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Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri155 views
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Koenji Awa Odori 2009155 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連154 views
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153 views美遊ひよこ連
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Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo153 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連151 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.150 views花の木連
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Tengu-ren 天狗連150 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連149 views
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美遊ひよこ連148 views
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148 views美遊ひよこ連
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連148 views
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Budo-ren 富道連147 views富道連
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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146 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連146 views
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Bikkuri-ren びっくり連145 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連145 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連145 views
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One trademark of the dancers is the crescent-shaped straw hats.144 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連143 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連143 views
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The men look more like the "fools."142 views
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These pictures show over 40 dance troupes which I photographed in 2004 and 2005. Budo-ren 富道連142 views富道連
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連142 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連142 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連142 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連142 views
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Kokesaku-ren 苔作連141 views
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Many of the troupe names have pretty meanings such as Maicho-ren which means "Dancing Butterfly." 舞蝶連141 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連141 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連141 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140 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.140 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連139 views
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Tokushima and Tokyo have the most number of Awa Odori troupes with 40 to 50 each.138 viewsEdokko-ren 江戸っ子連
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Shamisen player who knows how to smile for my camera. Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連138 views
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Each dance troupe starts with a lantern bearer showing the name of the troupe.137 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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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連137 views
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Kokesaku-ren 苔作連137 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連137 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連137 views
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Taiko drummers jamming. Tensui-ren 天水連137 views
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The dancers also let out a yell as they dance. Hana-no-ki-ren 花の木連136 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連136 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連136 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.135 views
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Each dance troupe is called a "ren." This is the Suiko-ren. 吹鼓連135 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連135 views
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134 viewsEdokko-ren 江戸っ子連
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連134 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連133 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連133 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.133 views
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連132 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連132 views
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Koenji Awa Odori132 views
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131 viewsMidori-ren 美踊連
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連131 views
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連131 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連131 views
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連130 views
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A few troupes are company-sponsored and take on the company's name like this one, a construction company.130 viewsThere is even the Microsoft-ren. (Not pictured here.)
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連129 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連128 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連128 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連128 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連128 views
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Sometimes you see a gaijin participant. F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連126 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連126 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連126 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連125 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連125 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連125 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連124 views
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中124 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連124 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連123 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連123 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連122 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連122 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連122 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連121 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連121 views
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連121 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連121 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連120 views
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Tensui-ren 天水連120 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連120 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連120 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連120 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連119 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連119 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連118 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連118 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連118 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連118 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連118 views
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Yurikamome-ren ゆりかもめ連117 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連117 views
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From the Suginami Ward Office, Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連117 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連116 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連116 views
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Suiren 粋輦116 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連116 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連116 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連116 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連115 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連115 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連115 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連114 views
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114 viewsSharaku-ren 写楽連
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中114 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連114 views
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Ageo Koiki-ren (from Saitama) あげお小粋連113 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連113 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連111 views
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連111 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連111 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110 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連110 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連109 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連109 views
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Damudan-ren (Kagurazaka) だむだん連. They like to pose for the camera.109 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連106 views
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Suiren 粋輦105 views
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JR Asagaya Station is slightly decorated with Tanabata streamers.102 views
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Damudan-ren (Kagurazaka) だむだん連. They like to pose for the camera.78 views
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Aoi-ren69 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 69 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66 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66 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 1/3 - Kokesaku 苔作66 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64 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 2/2 高円寺阿波おどり64 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 2/3 - Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連64 views
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Kurenai-ren 紅連63 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62 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 1/2 高円寺阿波おどり62 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 3/3 - Asuka-ren 飛鳥連62 views
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Nice to see a non-Japanese dancer.61 views
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Women dance with their hips high and knees bent.59 views
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Umbrellas59 views
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Kurenai-ren 紅連58 views
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Taiko drummers57 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. 2009.57 views
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The tanabata decorations were quite impressive.57 views
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Men dance with their hips down low. 伍楽連56 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連56 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.56 views
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Asagaya Tanabata is unique to have the year's popular characters and themes among the decorations. Moomin56 views
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They shout, "Yattosa Yatto Yatto Yoisa Yattosa"55 views
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JR Asagaya Station during the Tanabata Matsuri in early Aug. Get out the south (minami) exit of the station.55 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道蓮54 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).54 views
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Hanamichi-ren (Koenji/Mitaka) 花道連54 views
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Child dancer53 views
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Women sometimes perform men's dances. Goraku-ren 伍楽連53 views
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Edokko-ren 江戸っ子連53 views
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Nice to see a non-Japanese drummer.53 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.53 views
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Pikachu53 views
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At the end of the arcade, there is an outdoor shopping mall going to the main road.53 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.53 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.53 views
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Inside Asagaya Pearl Center during Tanabata Matsuri in early Aug.52 views
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The Asagaya Tanabata Festival is characterized by these giant characters hanging above, making it pretty unique.52 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！」51 views掛け声
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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.51 views
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Fool's disguise50 views
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Hiyoko-ren50 views
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The Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri started in 1954 by local merchants to attract more customers.50 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.50 views
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Little duckies trail the drummers.49 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.49 views
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