| 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! |
 |
|
Dancing the night
away! |
||
 |
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. |
|
| Dancing shadows | ||
| 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. |  |
|
Kocho Kawasaki |
||
 |
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. 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 aslo 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. |
|
| A dancer performs "Kawasaki" by Masao Mizuno |
||
|
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. |
 |
|
| Dancers performing "Kawasaki," by Masao Mizuno |
||
| Gujo Odori 2008 Dates | ||
July |
12th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 30th. | |
August |
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, *13th, *14th, *15th, *16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st. *all night dancing |
|
September |
6th. |
|
|
||
| Typical Gujo Odori Songs | ||
| Click the green button beside the word "play" to hear samples, and read a short explanation of three typical Gujo Odori songs. Each sample is approximately 2 minutes long. In all, there are ten Gujo Odori songs. They are played in a specific order, however, they are not all played every night. On some nights, only eight songs may be played, while other nights nine or ten songs may be played. It often depends on the mood of the crowd! |
||
| "Kawasaki" |
||
| "Harukoma" |
||
| "Gengen Balabala" | ||
| 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. |  |
|
| Spring festival daikagura dancer | ||
 |
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! |
|
| Amazake festival celebrating the end of winter | ||