Lively Energy, Uplifting Mood, and Liberation: Summing Up Yosakoi Dance!
Hear that rhythmic clap, clap? That's the infectious beat of Yosakoi, a lively festival dance style that has taken the world by storm in just under seven decades. Born in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, on Shikoku — Japan's smallest main island—Yosakoi simply means "come and visit at night" in Japanese[1].
So, what the heck is Yosakoi?
Originating in 1954 as a morale booster post-World War II, the dance has since grown to become one of the biggest summer festivals in Japan, attracting millions of visitors and spreading across the globe[2]. The dance is a fusion of traditional and modern elements, with dancers clapping naruko—small wooden clappers once used as bird scarers— syncing their moves to energetic, high-spirited tunes[3].
Why is Yosakoi so freakin' popular?
Here are the three main reasons:
- Yosakoi for everyone: The dance is open to anyone and everyone, including kids, seniors, non-Japanese, the disabled, and people of all backgrounds[1]. Yosakoi teams can be found all over the world, from France to Vietnam, Ghana, Sweden, Hungary, Canada, and beyond.
- Endless creative possibilities: Yosakoi performances are a mix of music, pop tunes, movie themes, world music, traditional folk songs, and original tracks, all blended with jubilant choreography[2]. There are no limits to the creativity of the dancers, making each performance unique and exciting.
- Stunning costumes: Yosakoi costumes are a blend of traditional and futuristic, ranging from traditional Japanese garments to outfits that would make anime characters jealous. Many costumes even feature quick-change features, adding an extra layer of visual excitement to the performances[3].
The essence of Yosakoi
At its core, Yosakoi is a celebration of life, community, spirit, and resilience—all the things we could use a bit more of these days[4].
Want to witness the Yosakoi madness yourself?
In July 2020, a special livestream event called "Premium Yosakoi in Tokyo" showcased the best of Yosakoi, featuring live and remote performances from all over Japan. While the event has already passed, you can still catch the recordings and see what all the fuss is about. Some standout performances include:
- Tenkushinatoya Shin, a Tokyo-based group that combines dynamic movement, speed, an African beat with an Oriental string arrangement in a number that encourages unity.
- Obiyamatsuji team, the oldest Yosakoi team hailing from Kochi, the dance's birthplace, with members from all over the prefecture.
- Hiragishi-Tenjin, a prizewinning team from Hokkaido whose performance is meant to express the powerful beat of taiko drums and inspire people after natural disasters.
- Zokkon Machida from Tokyo, who use elements of kabuki and the metaphor of a daruma doll that may fall but never stays down in their number. The costumes are the stars here, as they suddenly transform into massive daruma built into the outfits.
- Wasaba Ren, a group from Saitama, whose members span four generations[4].
Find a Yosakoi festival near you
With summer came hundreds of Yosakoi festivals happening across Japan, especially in Kochi Prefecture. So, if you're planning a trip to Japan, scroll through event listings to find a Yosakoi festival near your destination and experience the energy and joy of this unique dance phenomenon for yourself[5].
- Yosakoi's popularity can be attributed to its inclusiveness, as it welcomes participants from all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities.
- The dance style offers endless creative possibilities, with combinations of music genres, jubilant choreography, and unique costumes that make each performance distinctive.
- Yosakoi is rooted in history, originating post-World War II in Japan as a morale booster, and has since grown into one of the country's biggest summer festivals.
- Social media and books about Yosakoi have helped spread its fame beyond Japan's borders, introducing it to a global audience fascinated by pop-culture, entertainment, sci-fi and fantasy, and festivals.
- Celebrities and admirers of the dance worldwide have boosted its profile, with Yosakoi performances often encapsulating themes resonant in modern lifestyle, such as unity, resilience, and the pursuit of joy.
