2008 Aug 23 & 24 No. 52 Koenji Awaodori
There were about 12,000 Awaodori dancers joined and about 120,000 people joined this festival. It is the biggest summer festival in Tokyo.
"Yatto Sa!" is their call.
All dance teams have their own unique but still traditional costume. Their dance are all originals with original music.
Entire town between JR Koenji Station and Shin-Koenji Station become the dance stage.
History of Awaodori
Awa Odori is popularly believed to have begun in 1587. Lord Hachisuka Iemasa, the daimyo of Awa Province hosted a drunken celebration of the opening of Tokushima Castle. The locals, having consumed a great amount of sake, began to drunkenly weave and stumble back and forth. Others picked up commonly available musical instruments and began to play a simple, rhythmic song, to which the revelers invented lyrics, alternately praising Lord Hachisuka and encouraging others to join the dance.
While Awa Odori occurs at the same time as the Bon Festival, the Awa Odori is generally not considered to be a Bon Odori. (wikipedia)
Song
"Odoru ahouni Miru ahou. Onaji ahou nara Odorana son, son."
Crazy Dancers with other crazies watching them. Since both a like are mad, you might as well dance, might as well dance.