Talk the Talk

AMIGASA - A straw hat worn for onna odori, shaped like a folded circular disc and worn so that the crease runs from front to back, dipping forward.

AWA - The region now called Tokushima was once known as Awa. There are many local icons and landmarks that still retain this name - the Awa Bank, several train stations, the town Awa-cho (now part of the larger Awa-shi), and of course, Awa Odori.

CHOUCHIN - A chouchin is a lantern, usually hand-held but sometimes bigger, constructed from paper and wire and supported in a wooden, bamboo or metal frame. As used in Awa Odori, a chouchin never carries a flame, but is instead used as an accompaniment by accomplished dancers and is duly decorated with the name of the dancer's ren. A hand-held chouchin is about 40cm long and 15cm in diameter. Most rens also have a big takahari chouchin with one or two lanterns, each maybe 70 cm long and 30cm across, hoisted high on a long pole - this is carried at the front of a formation when groups are dancing down the street and serves to advertise the group's identity to all those watching.

FUE - A bamboo flute, providing melody over the Yoshikono rhythm.

GETA - Wooden clogs, worn by dancers of onna odori.

HAPPI COAT - A shorter, simple form of the yukata.

KANE - A hand-held metal gong which is used to keep the fundamental Yoshikono rhythm.

NARIMONO - The collective term for the musical instruments used in Awa Odori.

OBI - A cloth sash tied around the waist.

OBON - Obon is a major religious festival marked by holidays in Japan, a time when families gather to welcome their ancestors back to Earth, pay respect to their spirits, and send them back to heaven again for another year. Awa Odori is just one of many Bon dances, but it is distinct in its style and famous for the sheer size of the celebration.

ODORI - Literally, dance.

ONNA ODORI - The female dancing style of Awa Odori. Besides for the fact that only women dance in this style, it is distinguished easily by the dress of the dancers, including the amigasa straw hat, an elaborate yukata, and geta wooden clogs. It is also distinct from otoko odori for the upright stance of the dancer, different leg and arm technique, and heightened sense of physical discipline required of the dancer. Onna odori is the embodiment of feminine grace and beauty in Awa Odori.

OO-DAIKO - A large bass drum made of wood and stretched hide, lending power to the Yoshikono rhythm.

OTOKO ODORI - The male dancing style of Awa Odori. Whereas onna odori is quite upright and seemingly disciplined, dancers of otoko odori generally bend their knees, stay low, and move more fluidly. This style, which is danced by both men and women, embodies the theme of "the dancing fool" in Awa Odori.

REN - A dancing group. The term ren follows the group's name - for example, the famous groups Ahou-ren, Aoi-ren, and Hachizuka-ren.

RENCHOU - The most senior leader and representative of a ren.

SARASHI - A long length of cloth, usually white, worn wrapped around the waist and up to the chest.

SHAMISEN - A traditional Japanese string instrument, a 3-stringed guitar played with a long pluck.

SHIME-DAIKO - A medium-sized medium-pitch drum, perhaps 40cm across and 20cm deep, filling out the Yoshikono rhythm.

TABI - Cloth dancing shoes with plasticised soles, worn by Awa Odori dancers and musicians alike.

TAKE - A thick length of bamboo, usually 15-20cm in diameter, used as a percussion instrument to accompany the Yoshikono rhythm. Striking take produces a sharp rap, the sound of wood striking wood.

UCHIWA - A hand-held fan made of paper and wood or plastic, used as an accompaniment by accomplished dancers and often decorated not only with the name of the dancer's ren but also with sponsoring company advertising.

YATTOSA - An exclamation, a dancing call, used to signal changes in formation, or simply as a chant, or to encourage other dancers to keep it up. There are many variations on and replies to this call.

YOSHIKONO - The Awa Odori rhythm, typically comprising the sounds of kane, oo-daiko, shime-daiko, take, shamisen and fue, collectively called narimono.

YUKATA - A traditional Japanese robe, coming in various styles to suit the season and situation. In Awa Odori, the onna odori yukata is more elaborate than that for otoko odori. A yukata is always worn with the left side folded over the right - only the dead are dressed with right over left.