Awa Odori

The Awa odori dancing style is believed to have been invented in 1585. During the party for celebration of new castle, people got so drunk that they started dancing with their hands and arms above their shoulders. This is quite unusual, since most dancing styles in Japan emphasize downward motion. Awa odori is upward oriented.

Men dance in tabi (split-toed socks), while women wear sandals, their heels not touching the ground. The men's dance is aggressive and lively, while the women's dance uses graceful movements. Awa odori is part of the Bon festival held to welcome ancestors back to this world for a few days. Awa odori participants march in a straight line, though Bon dances are usually performed in a circle.

Odoru aho ni miru aho, onaji aho nara odoranya son son! The dancing fool and the watching fool are both fools, so why not dance! ? this is a popular Awa odori chant.

Awa is the old name for Tokushima prefecture.