Dancing demonstration

Awa Odori - The Dancing Fools

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August 15th 2008
The most famous festival on Shikoku and one of the top festivals in Japan Awa odori* was on the top of my list of things I had to see while living in Japan. From August 12 to 15 people from all over Japan swarm to Tokushima to watch and/or dance at the festival. The nickname for Awa odori, the dance of fools, is derived from the chant the dancers sing. 踊る阿呆に見る阿呆同じ阿呆な� ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tokushima

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more