Takarabune: awa odori
This summer, the Takarabune troupe suggests you to meet them on the WABI SABI area. So don’t miss on the opportunity to discover the awa odori, a striking traditional dance!
presentation
“Dance is a permanent combat”, this saying sums up perfectly the spirit of this traditional dance, and its 400 years of history.
Called the fool’s dance because of the chorus “Those who dance are fools, those who watch are fools, each and every one of you are fools, so why not dance?”, awa odori –the dance from Awa– is characterized by irregular steps and a dynamic and joyful rhythm. The basic rule of this dance is to swing your right arm to the front at the same time as your left leg, and then your left arm at the same time as your right leg, always according to the music’s binary rhythm.
The Takarabune troupe, founded in 1995 in the region where the awa odori has its origins (Tokushima), endeavors to constantly open itself to new styles, but always preserving the basis and soul of this traditional art. They dance with passion and sometimes even let the madness of it carry them. Most of the members are in their 20s and have practiced this dance for more than a decade. Such a longevity in dance and music are primarily based on a perfect technique.