THE GUJO ODORI dance festival is one of the three most important traditional dance festivals in Japan, but it is also one of the most accessible. Designated a Significant Intangible Cultural Folk Asset by the Japanese government, Gujo Odori should not be missed!

Endo Yoshitaka started the Gujo Odori festival in the Tokugawa Period over 400 years ago in an attempt to encourage all the town's citizens to get together, regardless of social level or position. This spirit remains today as the heart and soul of this popular summer dance festival.

For thirty-one festive nights, from mid-July until the first weekend in September, thousands of people dance the ten traditional odori or dances of the festival in the streets throughout the town. But for many, the most exciting time is the four nights of the festival, at "obon" in the middle of August, when revellers dance through the night until the morning sun begins to rise above the surrounding mountains.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in! And there are plenty of people eager to teach anyone interested in participating, the simple dance movements which are different from Western dance steps.

Kocho Kawasaki
by Masao Mizuno

Those interested in a more "structured" approach to learning the traditional dance movements can take afternoon dance lessons at the Gujo Hachiman Kinenkan Tourist Centre during Gujo Odori season. Certificates are presented to all who successfully complete the easy lessons!

Gujo Odori lessons are also offered daily at the Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan. Gujo Odori lessons are offered at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm and are included in the Hakurankan admission price. Click here to see an interactive panorama of a Gujo Odori lesson at the Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan.

For an authentic experience you can wear the light cotton traditional yukata and wooden geta sandals you will find in your room at all ryokans, or rent them from local kimono stores. But remember, jeans and sneakers are just as welcome! The point is to have fun, make new friends and experience traditional Japan in a way that is unique to Gujo Hachiman.

Gujo Odori Songs and Dances

In all, there are ten Gujo Odori songs. Songs are danced in a specific order, however, not every song is danced every night. On some nights, only eight songs may be danced, while other nights nine or ten songs may be danced. It often depends on the mood of the crowd! You all 10 Gujo Odori dances below.

"Old Kawasaki"

Old Kawasaki is the original version of the more modern "Kawasaki". In Gujo Odori, Old Kawasaki is always danced first! and is the only version of Kawasaki danced at mukashi odori or the Old-style Gujo Odori in September on a secret date and location known only to locals.

"Kawasaki"

The most famous and well known of the 10 Gujo Odori songs! The movements of this dance incorporate representations of the scenery of Gujo Hachiman (rivers and mountains) and viewing the moon on a warm summer evening.

"Harukoma"

In Edo times, Gujo Hachiman was home to many famous horse farms that supplied horses to the Samurai. The movements of this dance mimic those of a samurai riding a spirited and energetic young horse.

"Gengen Balabala"

Unlike most other dances of Gujo Odori, which are danced in a clockwise circle, Gengen Balabala is danced in a counter-clockwise circle. Only a drum and the singer's voice are used. The elegant dance movements depict folding the long sleeves of a young girl’s kimono over her arm to play a children's ball game.

"San Byakku"

San byakku literally means three hundred and refers to three hundred mon, a unit of currency in the Edo period. About 250 years ago, Gujo Hachiman had a farmers revolution and the lord of the town was changed. When the new lord arrived, he gave the poor and starving farmers 300 mon. This made the farmers extremely happy and the dance san byakku, was written to say thank-you. The movements are simple depections of farmers walking in the muddy rice fields and throwing harvested rice bundles up to be dried.

"Yacchiku"

Gujo Hachiman is a castle town and because of that there used to be many drifting performers who passed through the town. One of these drifting performers created yacchiku. Like gen gen bala bala this song is only singing and drums and you may notice a similarity between native north-american people’s dance and music.

"Neko no Ko"

Neko No Ko literally means kitten. In the old days, cats were kept by farmers to keep mice and vermin away from silk worms which were raised to produce the high quality silk for which Gujo Hachiman is well-known. Spontaneously invented by the young people of the time, the dance movements of Neko no Ko mimic those of a kitten washing its face with its paws.

"Sawagi"

A simple and slow paced dance, Sawagi is often danced after the more energetic Haru Koma to allow the dancers the opportunity to recover! Originally sung by geisha, the words are flirtatious with many double meanings. The movements are simple with much hand clapping — a common gesture of many songs and games used by geisha in the entertainment of their guests.

"Gujo Jinku"

Originally sung by sumo wrestlers in Edo, this song was brought to Gujo Hachiman when sumo wrestling was brought to Gujo Hachiman by sumo fans. The movments depict simple sumo "kata" movements.

"Matsusaka"

This is always the last song played of the night. A simple yet poignant song marking the end of the night's dancing, there is no musical accompaniment. As the singer sings this song, dancers answer "korai, korai" as a gesture of thanks to the singers and musicians for the evening's dancing. Answering the singer with "korai, korai" equalizes the singer with the dancers in a final remembrance of the purpose of Gujo Odori - to bring people together regardless of social class or background.

Other Festivals & Events

LIKE MANY other towns and cities across Japan, Gujo Hachiman hosts seasonal festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Many of these have a long history and are well attended by people from all over the area. The Spring Festival is particularly colourful and includes a daikagura lion dance in the streets through the town.

Gujo Hachiman hosts an amazake or "Sweet Sake" festival celebrating the end of winter. Here participants have a chance to sample sweet unfiltered sake that is mild enough that children can drink a little!