Kitamachi Awa Odori Dance 2008 きたまち阿波おどり
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The 16th Kitamachi Awa Odori was held on July 26, 2008 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. Kitamachi is a small neighborhood near Tobu-Nerima Station on the Tobu Tojo Line.
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They danced on the main shopping streets called Kitamachi shotengai (pictured here) and New Kitamachi shotengai. Just few minutes walk from the train station. きたまち商店街
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After a few speeches and a "tape-cut" ceremony, the festival began at 6:30 pm.
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Twenty-three dancing and non-dancing troupes participated. This is somewhat small compared to bigger Awa Odori dances in Tokyo, but the enjoyment and enthusiasm of the dancers and crowd were top-class.
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One group was from the local junior high school.
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There were about 1,400 dancers and about 70,000 spectators lining the streets.
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Junior high school dancers dressed in yukata.
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School baseball team, Kitamachi Faiyers. No dancing.
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Would you believe a karate group? They did not dance. Just punched and yelled their way through. Kitamachi Awa Odori, Nerima, Tokyo 極真空手連
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I much prefer the women dancers.
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So photogenic, like a crane in flight.
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Daikon-ren from Nerima-ku.
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These kids were very good at the taiko drums.
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Dancing in formation.
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Aoi Shin-ren, one of my favorite Awa Odori troupes. 葵新連
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Kitamachi Awa Odori, Tokyo 写楽連
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Kitamachi Awa Odori, Tokyo
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Takara-bune-ren 宝船連
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She loved to pose for photographers.
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They were hoppin'
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Awa Odori dancer
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All the dancers' faces were glistening with perspiration.
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Kitamachi Awa Odori, Nerima-ku, Tokyo
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Kitamachi Awa Odori Dance, Nerima-ku, Tokyo きたまち阿波おどり
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Nice formation.
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They know how to look good.
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For the last number, the finale.
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Quite spectacular finale performance by this troupe called Hyottoko-ren. ひょっとこ連
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