Tashiro Bon Odori
田代盆踊り
"When I first saw it, I was deeply moved by its rhythmic, dynamic movements centered around the taiko drum."
-Yoko Tanaka
田代盆踊り
"When I first saw it, I was deeply moved by its rhythmic, dynamic movements centered around the taiko drum."
-Yoko Tanaka
@Photo by Futatsui Kankō Kyoukai
Bon Odori has a history of over 500 years and remains one of Japan’s most important events of folk performing arts. The roots of Bon Odori are said to lie in nenbutsu-odori, a type of Buddhist chanting dance that began in the Heian period. People chanted Buddhist prayers while dancing to spread Buddhism among the common people.
Over time, this practice merged with rituals held during the Obon season to welcome and comfort the returning spirits of ancestors. From the late Muromachi period, the dance gradually lost its strong religious character. It developed into a lively form of popular entertainment, accompanied by drums, musical accompaniment, and singers who lead the dancers.
Tashiro Bon Odori is held twice a year in early September. Until the late Taishō period, the upper settlements—Takayashiki, Mukōda, Hachibee, and Shichimura—performed sasara (a type of lion dance), while the lower settlements—Nakamura, Nazaemon, and Dewatashiro—performed bangaku.
During the Keio era (1865–1868), women who married into the Tashiro area from Nagatsura in Shimo-Iwakawa taught the Neko Bangaku dance to the local men. It was performed as a celebratory dance to mark important occasions.
(Akita Minzoku Geino Archives, n.d.)
Tashiro Bon Odori is a regional style of Bon Odori passed down in Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture. The characteristic of this dance is its heavy and consistent taiko beat. The rhythm creates a sense of unity among dancers and gives the entire performance an energetic atmosphere. Dancers form a large circle and move from side to side, creating a flowing motion. These movements are simple but deeply expressive, allowing even first-time participants to join in easily. Also, it includes traditional folk songs unique to the Tashiro area that accompany the dance. The lyrics reflect the lives, emotions, and agricultural traditions of the region.
To know more
(Japanese)
(Japanese)
(Japanese)
One of the best opportunities to experience Tashiro Bon Odori is at the Ōayu-no-Sato Furusato Festival, a community event held in Ugo Town every August. Local residents, children, and visitors gather to celebrate with food stalls, performances, and traditional music.
(Akita Inu Tourism, n.d.)
It will be held at the former riverside park near the Odate City Hall General Tashiro Branch Office.
Before working on this project, I had not known about Tashiro Bon Odori, nor had I ever participated in it. Through researching and learning about it, I came to realize how deeply this dance is rooted in Ugo town, local life and community.
Actually, I belong to the Kanto club in AIU. Before coming to Akita, I knew there was a famous festival "Kanto", however, I had never seen it. Through participating in the festival and communicating with the local people, I realized how Kanto is being protected and loved by them. Because of the depopulation and the COVID-19 pandemic, it's becoming more difficult to survive. Though I am not a local person and may not have the same passion as them, I want to keep playing Kanto as an Akita-related population and help preserve Kanto in the next 100 years.
@ Photo by own
Reference
Akita Folkloric Performance Art Archives. (n.d.). Akita minzoku geinō ākaibusu: Tōroku geinō ichiran [Akita folkloric performance art archives: List of registered folk performing arts]. https://www.akita-minzoku-geino.jp/archives/ja/2256/
Akita Inu Tourism. (n.d.). Ōayu no sato furusato matsuri [Ōayu no Sato hometown festival]. Visit Akita. https://visitakita.com/tourist-guide/event15/?utm
Bonodori.net. (n.d.). Bon odori no rekishi [History of Bon Odori]. https://www.bonodori.net/rekishi/
City of Noshiro. (n.d.). Tashiro bon odori [Tashiro bon dance]. https://www.city.noshiro.lg.jp/res/minzoku-geinou/5550
City of Odate. (n.d.). Dai 59-kai Ōayu no sato furusato matsuri o kaisai shimasu [The 59th Ōayu no Sato hometown festival will be held]. https://www.city.odate.lg.jp/city/soshiki/tashiroshinkou/p995
Futatsui Tourism Association. (n.d.). Tashiro no bon odori [Tashiro bon dance]. https://futatsui.com/elementor-9559-4-2-2/
SanFes. (n.d.). Tashiro bon dance. https://sanfes.com/artists/tashiro_bondance
Sanriku International Arts Promotion Committee. (n.d.). Tashiro bon odori: Tashiro bon odori aikōkai [Tashiro bon dance: Tashiro bon dance club]. https://sanrikuarts.com/geinoh-list/3313/