The Nakama Yosakoi Dance Team cordially invites you to witness their captivating performance of the Irodori Dance. This exquisite display of talent is inspired by the timeless fable “The Peacock and the Crow.” Be enthralled by their mesmerizing moves at the highly anticipated Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi Genki Matsuri Festival on August 26 and 27.
| The Vietnamese Nakama Yosakoi Dance Troupe will perform in Tokyo, Japan on August 26 and 27. Photo: Nakama Yosakoi |
This is the only Vietnamese Yosakoi dance team participating in the vibrant annual festival in Tokyo.
The cultural event is being held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. This momentous occasion, spanning from 1973 to 2023, is an opportunity to celebrate the shared history and deepening ties between the two nations. Join us as we showcase the vibrant cultures of Vietnam and Japan through various artistic performances, exhibitions, and traditional displays.
Phan Tien Dung, the spokesperson for the dance team, shared that the Vietnamese fable, which carries deep meaning, will be creatively expressed using the unique language of Japanese dance.
“We aim to inspire the public with positive energy, particularly in light of Vietnam and Japan’s joint efforts in overcoming the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he further added.
The Vietnamese fairy tale, “The Peacock and the Crow,” imparts valuable lessons of patience and denounces the vice of greed. By succumbing to impatience and gluttony, the crow imprudently dives into a bottle of black ink, ultimately tarnishing its once vibrant plumage with a dark hue, instead of its intended colorful feathers.
Dung expressed that the art of dance allows us to see the beauty in black as a color. He emphasized the importance of self-love and appreciation for one’s own qualities.
| The performance is expected to bring a joyful, optimistic and positive energy to the audience. Photo: Nakama Yosakoi |
The Nakama Yosakoi Dance Team was established in 2013 under the support of the UNESCO Information Center and the Vietnam Union of UNESCO Associations. Its main objective is to provide a platform for Japanese Yosakoi enthusiasts in Vietnam and foster stronger people-to-people diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The “Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi Festival” is one of the major events on the Tokyo calendar.
The Yosakoi Festival has its roots in the year 1954, when it was established in Kochi Prefecture as a means to rejuvenate the region following the devastation of World War II. The festival is known for its distinct dance style, characterized by high energy and a vibrant atmosphere, with dancers enthusiastically shaking bird rattles, known as naruko, in both hands. As the years went by, the festival’s popularity grew, and it eventually expanded across the nation. In 2001, the Tokyo version of the festival found its home in the Harajuku/Omotesando area.
Save the date for this year’s event! Join us on August 26 and 27 as we showcase the talents of over 5,000 dancers from 100 teams on six stages located in the vibrant Harajuku Omotesandou area of Tokyo, Japan. Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of dance and culture!
