Hand dance, essential for Tsugaru folk song
Because of the Yoshida brothers’ contribution, when you say ”Tsugaru XX”in Tsugaru art, you might immediately think of Tsugaru shamisen. Although it has been the recent trend to hear Tsugaru shamisen being played solo, it is actually often played as an accompaniment to songs. It is a performing arts which developed as part of Tsugaru folk songs such as Tsugaru Jongara folk song.
The characteristic of Tsugaru folk song is that the dance called ”te odori” or hand dance is added to the folk song which is a combination of song and shamisen. If you are familiar with Tsugaru shamisen, you will already be aware, but since Tsugaru folk songs have a very fast tempo, the dance is brisk rather than slow.
Brisk dance that gives you a good feeling
Of the Tsugaru folk songs, Tsugaru Jongara song, Tsugaru Ohara song, Tsugaru Yosare song, Tsugaru Aiya song and Tsugaru Sansagari are called the Five Great Tsugaru Songs. We were told that in addition to the Five Great Folk Songs, each school has their original folk song. Among the several schools, we visited Tsugaru folk song Ishikawa school’s practice session. The shamisen players were also invited, so we were able to see the Tsugaru folk song ”te odori” with live music.
We listened to the light and fast tempo of the Tsugaru shamisen. To the gorgeous voice of the singers, and watched the snappy dance. More than a dance, the charm of this dance is the brisk movement. We were drawn into their world, and when their movement ended with a snap, it brought us back to reality. Nakata found himself applauding.
Trying the ”otoko odori”
When we looked around, most of the participants that day were women. When Nakata asked, ”Aren’t there any male dancers?”, they said there aren’t many but some did exist. The teacher, Kumiko, the Ishikawa school’s second generation master said ”The ”otoko odori” or male dance has a special quality that is different from the ”onna odori” or female dance.” She showed us the male dance. Gestures, especially how you use the feet is masculine. ”You can do it too.” Kumiko said as she handed Nakata an umbrella and showed him the steps. One must be aware of not only the movement of the body but also the fingertips, in order to dance handsomely and briskly like they showed us. Nakata, while struggling, somehow danced through the music, finishing off with the final pose.
Folk songs are a song of the heart that has been sang by past generations in that region. At the Ishikawa school, they of course teach adults how to dance, but they also teach children how to dance the ”te odori”, connecting the spirit of the art to the future.
