 Most viewed - Suginami-ku 杉並区 |
Koenji Awa Odori557 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.318 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273 views
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Koenji Awa Odori, Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連271 views
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268 views
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261 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連235 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.218 views
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Crowd at JR Koenji Station on Awa Odori night.207 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, Tokyo206 views
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The troupe can consist of children (as young as age 2 or 3), women, and men.190 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 Odori188 views
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The dancers hop on one leg.178 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178 views
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This lady always poses for me, from Takarabune-ren. Koenji Awa Odori 2009.175 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連173 views
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Koenji has many shopping arcades and side streets teeming with eateries.172 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連168 views
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JR Koenji Station and Awa Odori sign.168 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.164 views
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The dancers wear a light kimono and half-moon straw hats.163 views
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After it's over...163 views
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The parade route centers on JR Koenji Station. There are wide and narrow portions of the route.160 viewsIf it rains, they may stop the festival early.
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Tensho-ren 天翔連157 views
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美遊ひよこ連156 views
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Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri155 views
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Koenji Awa Odori 2009155 views
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The dance troupe typically has subgroups of children, women, men, and musicians. Suiko-ren 吹鼓連154 views吹鼓連
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Tensho-ren 天翔連154 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連154 views
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連154 views
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Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri, Tokyo153 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連152 views
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151 views美遊ひよこ連
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Tokyo Aoi-ren 東京葵連151 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連149 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.148 views花の木連
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Tengu-ren 天狗連148 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連147 views
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美遊ひよこ連146 views
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146 views美遊ひよこ連
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Budo-ren 富道連145 views富道連
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連145 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144 views
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連144 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連144 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連143 views
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One trademark of the dancers is the crescent-shaped straw hats.142 views
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Bikkuri-ren びっくり連142 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連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141 views富道連
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連141 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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Silver-ren 志留波阿連140 views
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The men look more like the "fools."139 views
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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.139 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連139 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連139 views
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Many of the troupe names have pretty meanings such as Maicho-ren which means "Dancing Butterfly." 舞蝶連138 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連138 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137 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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Tokushima and Tokyo have the most number of Awa Odori troupes with 40 to 50 each.137 viewsEdokko-ren 江戸っ子連
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Maicho-ren 舞蝶連137 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137 views
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Kokesaku-ren 苔作連136 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連136 views
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Each dance troupe starts with a lantern bearer showing the name of the troupe.135 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135 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連135 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連135 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.134 views
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Each dance troupe is called a "ren." This is the Suiko-ren. 吹鼓連134 views
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The dancers also let out a yell as they dance. Hana-no-ki-ren 花の木連134 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連134 views
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Taiko drummers jamming. Tensui-ren 天水連134 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連133 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連132 views
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Silver-ren 志留波阿連132 views
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Tensho-ren 天翔連132 views
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Koenji Awa Odori132 views
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131 viewsEdokko-ren 江戸っ子連
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連131 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連131 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.131 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連130 views
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F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連130 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連129 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連129 views
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128 viewsMidori-ren 美踊連
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連128 views
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Kimagu-ren きまぐ連127 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連127 views
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A few troupes are company-sponsored and take on the company's name like this one, a construction company.127 viewsThere is even the Microsoft-ren. (Not pictured here.)
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連126 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連126 views
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Midori-ren 美踊連125 views
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Tengu-ren 天狗連125 views
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連124 views
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Sometimes you see a gaijin participant. F.I.A.-ren えふあいえい連123 views
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Tatsuno Otoshiko-ren たつのおとし子連123 views
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Hyottoko-ren ひょっとこ連123 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連122 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連122 views
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きたまちじゃじゃ馬連121 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連121 views
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中121 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連121 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連121 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連121 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連120 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連120 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連120 views
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連119 views
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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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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連118 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連117 views
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連117 views
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Tensui-ren 天水連117 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連117 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連116 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連116 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連116 views
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Aoi Shin-ren 葵新連115 views
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Yurikamome-ren ゆりかもめ連115 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連115 views
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From the Suginami Ward Office, Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連115 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連115 views
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Mitaka-ren みたか連114 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連114 views
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Suzaku-ren 朱雀連114 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連114 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連114 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連114 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連114 views
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Sharaku-ren 写楽連113 views
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Damudan-ren だむだん連113 views
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Suiren 粋輦113 views
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Zomeki-renju 騒連中113 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連113 views
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Ageo Koiki-ren (from Saitama) あげお小粋連112 views
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112 viewsSharaku-ren 写楽連
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Musashi Minami-ren むさし南連112 views
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Koganei Sakura-ren 小金井さくら連110 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連110 views
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Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連109 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108 views
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Sazanka-ren 杉並区役所さざんか連108 views
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Damudan-ren (Kagurazaka) だむだん連. They like to pose for the camera.108 views
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Edo Kabuki-ren 江戸歌舞伎連107 views
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Hanamichi-ren 花道連106 views
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Narimasu Child-ren 成増チルド連106 views
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Shinobu-ren しのぶ連102 views
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JR Asagaya Station is slightly decorated with Tanabata streamers.102 views
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Suiren 粋輦101 views
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Damudan-ren (Kagurazaka) だむだん連. They like to pose for the camera.77 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 67 views
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Kurenai-ren 紅連63 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63 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63 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 1/3 - Kokesaku 苔作63 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62 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 2/2 高円寺阿波おどり62 views
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Nice to see a non-Japanese dancer.61 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 2/3 - Kikusui-ren 菊水会菊水連61 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2011 Part 1/2 高円寺阿波おどり60 views
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My video of Koenji Awa Odori 2009 Part 3/3 - Asuka-ren 飛鳥連60 views
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Umbrellas59 views
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Women dance with their hips high and knees bent.58 views
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Kurenai-ren 紅連58 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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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57 views
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Taiko drummers56 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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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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The tanabata decorations were quite impressive.55 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.55 views
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Men dance with their hips down low. 伍楽連54 views
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連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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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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Hanamichi-ren 花道蓮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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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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They shout, "Yattosa Yatto Yatto Yoisa Yattosa"52 views
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Child dancer52 views
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Inside Asagaya Pearl Center during Tanabata Matsuri in early Aug.52 views
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Pikachu52 views
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The Asagaya Tanabata Festival is characterized by these giant characters hanging above, making it pretty unique.51 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.51 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.51 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！」50 views掛け声
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Hiyoko-ren50 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 Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri started in 1954 by local merchants to attract more customers.49 views
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