Awa Dance Festival (Awa Odori 阿波踊り) is held in the Tokushima city area every year in the time of Bon festival, Bon Odori. It follows an accompaniment such as Shamisen, Drum, Brass, and Flute, and dancers dance and walk. Dancers wear regional costumes and often sing while dancing. Men and Women follow seperate dance steps and wear different costumes, although most professional Awa Odori troupes will tightly choreograph the movements of their male and female members together.
Awa Odori is a dance which takes place in various locations throughout the prefecture of Tokushima in Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands that comprise the Japanese archipelago.
Awa Odori takes place during the Buddhist observance of O-bon, when the spirits of the dead are thought to return to their ancestral homes.
The Awa Odori Kaikan, which is close to the station, has displays and exhibits relating to the history of the festival, however it is closed during the festival itself.
Men and Women follow separate dance steps and wear different costumes, although most professional Awa Odori troupes will tightly choreograph the movements of their male and female members together.
Awa Odori is popularly believed to have begun in 1587.
Awa Odori and Awa Ningyo Joruri by students at Kagawa Junior College, Japan (Japanese with English)
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