I will introduce two famous and traditional Japanese festivals. One is Nebuta festival. It is held in the summer in the north part of Japan. People parade with very big dolls called Dashi(山車) on the street while dancing or playing the flute or beating a drum. Dashi is very beautiful. Many people participate in this festival and many tourist come to see Dashi.
The other is a summer festival held in the southeast part of Japan. People dance a funny dance, which is called Awa dance, in the festival. This dance has a history of four hundred years. People walk the street while dancing with duple sound that is played by drums and flutes and so on, saying 「えらいやっちゃ、えらいやっちゃ、ヨイヨイヨイヨイ、踊る阿呆に見る阿呆、同じ阿呆なら踊らな損々…」 or phrase like 「Yattsutosa-yattsutosa)」. The meaning is that 「It's crisis. It's crisis. Dancing fools, watching fools. Both are the same fools, so why don't you dance?」. In short, dance crazily with no worry. It is a really funny dance.
Nebuta Festival
Awa Dance
Comments
Hi, SNR. Thank you for your comment. My pleasure.
Tam , thank you so much for introducing these Japanese festivals to and and letting us know a bit more about japanese culture. :)
@ Rosemary,
Your comment bought a smile on face and childhood memory popped up. I would watch the takeshi castle. I liked the starnage but interesting tasks. :)
Hi, Bet. Thank you for your comment. Is "against the wind" Japanese anime?
Thanks, Tam. I also watched some Japanese serials...one of them is againstb the wind...i really liked it!
Hi, Rosemary. Thank you for your comment. I also used to watch " the Takeshi Castle " as a kid. I hear it is popular in many countries.
Many of us Saudi kids of the early 90s were big fans of this Japanese TV program " the Takeshi Castle " the Saudi TV channel used to broadcast it everyday in Eid evenings . We were so excited following all the attempts of the castle invaders till the end . This is related in my mind with my childhood memories and many other people of my generation . It have made us really happy . So , thanks for Japanese people