Awa Odori: Where all are Fools

There is a saying about the Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima, Japan: "Those who dance are fools, those who watch are fools. Since both are fools, why not dance?" This weekend, I learned the meaning of that phrase.

The Awa Odori is a traditional Japanese dance - one of the most famous. In it's most simple form, it is, well, quite simple. Step forward and with the same arm as foot, extend the arm. Now add the same music over and over again, a little crouching, a little artistic grace, a Japanese Yukata, paper lanters, lots of food, beer, and crowds like crazy and you have the second largest dance festival in the world.

Every year, the new JETs in Tokushima and any other JETs that want to, get together with an international group to have a pre-dance party and then dance together in the main festival. We went to two different stages and performed the dance in front of hundreds, probably thousands of people. They gave us yukatas, which are pretty much big robes with sashes we tied around our waists. It was very tiring, my feet were killing me, and I was sweating like a pig, BUT it was also probably the most fun I've had in Japan since I got here. We had to wait a long time for each dance so we just all stood around and chatted and talked about how hot it was and how crazy this festival was. We also had to walk through masses of people on our way to the next stage. The mayhem was exhilerating and exciting, and as we danced, the crowd laughed and pointed and had a great time watching our crazy gaijin (foreigner) version of their special dance.

Now I can't wait till next year...