 |
目次 Hand dance, essential for Tsugaru folk songBecause 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. |
Brisk dance that gives you a good feelingOf 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. |
 |
|
|
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. |
