MustLoveJapan

How to dance BonOdori: Basic

Travel Information

Bon Odori is a dance performed in summer time in Japan. In Japanese religion, all the ancestors visit their descendants in the middle of August (July in Tokyo), Bon Odori is a welcome dance for them. In August, there are many Bon Odori Matsuri where you can enjoy dancing Bon Odori everywhere in Japan. There are 1,000s of Bon Odori, and here MLJ will introduce three basic dances which are most likely played every Bon Odori Matsuri. Tankobushi, Tokyo Ondo, and Dai Tokyo Ondo.


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Detailed Travel Guide

How to dance BonOdori: Basic

炭坑節
Tankobushi
"The song of Coal Miners"
(walk counterclockwise)

Move:
Face your stomach to the walking direction.
Count Four when music starts.
Clap, clap and clap.
grab your hands just like you are grabbing a scoop for coal mining.
Dig, dig (right),
Then, dig, dig (left).
Carry coals. Carry coals.
You are getting out from underground.
Then you see beautiful moon. watch it two times.
Push your lorry. Push your lorry.
Then, open gate. Then, back to clap clap and clap.

Repeat


東京音頭
Tokyo Ondo
"Tokyo Dance Song"
(walk counterclockwise)

Move:
Face your stomach to the walking direction, and count four.
Clap, clap and clap.
Shade with your right hand and step back.
Shade with your left hand and step back.
Make a circle with your arms. Step with right foot.
Then, circle with left foot step.
Stretch your right arm and touch right elbow with left hand. Step right foot.
Again the other side.
Shade with your right hand and step back.
Shade with your left hand and step back.
Clap, clap and clap.

Repeat


大東京音頭
Dai Tokyo Ondo.
"Great Tokyo Dance Song"
(walk counterclockwise)

Move:
Face your stomach to the center of circle, and count 8.
Clap & clap & clap, clap & clap. Turn right at the last clap.
Step right foot and bring your hands front of your face just like Mt. Fuji.
Step left foot and draw Mt. Fuji.
Step right foot cover your face with right hand. Keep your left foot in the air.
The same with the other side.
Step right foot from the air, and make a large circle with entire arms.
Then, make small circle with only wrist. Step back right foot and step right foot again.
Step left foot. Stretch your left arm, and cover your face with right hand.
Step right foot, and other side.
Put you hands side, and bend your knees.
Make two size of circle again but this time with your left foot step.
Step left foot. Stretch your right arm, and cover your face with left hand.
Step left foot, and other side.
Turn clockwise with 4 steps, and just like sweeping your face with both hand.
Face to the center of the circle and step in with right foot. Open your arms front.
Then, back to the beginning.

repeat.

Dance performed by Yoshiko Ikemura Sensei and Minato Waodori nokai.