What is "Kuroishi Yosare," one of Japan's three major street dances? An explanation of the dance types, history, and origin of the name [Aomori Prefecture]

"Kuroishi Yosare" is a festival that adds color to the summer in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture .

The sight of dancers dressed in matching yukata and straw hats moving through the city streets to the sounds of shamisen and taiko drums is a quintessential summer tradition in Kuroishi

Along with Tokushima Prefecture's "Awa Odori" and Gifu Prefecture's "Gujō Odori," it is considered one of Japan's three major street dances , and three different types of dances— "nagashi-odori" (street dance), "mawari-odori" (circular dance), and "kumidori" (group dance) —are performed at the festival.

This time, we will introduce the history of Kuroishi Yosare, the origin of the name "Yosare," and the characteristics of the dances that make up the festival

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What is Kuroishi Yosare?

"Kuroishi Yosare" is a historic Bon dance passed down in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. At its core is the "Nagashi Odori," in which dancers parade through the city streets in a procession. Many dancers, dressed in matching yukata and straw hats, dance to the tune of Kuroishi Yosare songs, shamisen, and drums

Other events at the festival include "Mawari Odori," where spectators spontaneously join in and dance in a circle, and "Kumi Odori," where multiple people perform Tsugaru folk dances

The Kuroishi Yosare festival is characterized by its ability to offer both the splendor of beautifully synchronized, predetermined choreography and the liberating feeling of a traditional Bon Odori dance where everyone present can dance together

What is the origin of the word "yosare"?

There is no established theory about the origin of the word "yosare," but the following are some of the representative theories introduced by the Kuroishi Tourism Association and Kuroishi City

There are various other theories, such as "it comes from a pun on Rashomon Gate, meaning 'stop, be attacked'" or "it's a variation of the Shonai folk song," but none of them provide conclusive evidence for the origin, so it's best to understand that there are multiple theories about the origin of "yosare."

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Did the dance originate 500-600 years ago? The history of Kuroishi Yosare

The origins of Kuroishi Yosare are believed to date back 500 to 600 years, and it is thought that it was originally a love song sung between men and women at Bon Odori festivals

However, this is a traditional account related to its origins and does not mean that the current Kuroishi Yosare has been performed in the same form for 500 to 600 years

Folk songs and Bon Odori dances have gradually changed their form as the songs and movements have been passed down from person to person. It is believed that Kuroishi Yosare, too, has developed into its current form along with the history of the region, based on songs and dances that have existed in the Tsugaru region since ancient times

In the late Edo period, Sakaikata Uemon encouraged Bon Odori (Bon dance)

It is said that the Bon Odori dance, which is the prototype of Kuroishi Yosare, became popular around the Tenmei era (1781-1789) in the late Edo period

At that time, Kuroishi was ruled by the Kuroishi Tsugaru family, which had branched off from the main Tsugaru family of Hirosaki. It is said that Sakai Gyoemon, a powerful figure within the family, encouraged events such as Bon Odori (Bon dance) as one of his policies to attract people from the surrounding areas and make the town prosperous

This policy is said to have been passed down from the first Sakaikata Uemon to the second Sakaikata Uemon, and in 1809, when the Kuroishi Tsugaru family became a daimyo with a 10,000 koku domain and the Kuroishi Domain, a branch domain of the Hirosaki Domain, was established, the second Sakaikata Uemon became the first chief retainer of the Kuroishi Domain

Bon Odori (Bon dance) was not merely entertainment; it seems to have also played a role in attracting people to town and enlivening the castle town

The "Fundōgumi Wakamono Nikki" (Diary of Young Men of the Fundōgumi), which describes the state of Kuroishi during the late Edo period, contains a description to the effect that there were "countless drums, taiko drums, and shamisen" used in the Bon Odori festival at the time, suggesting that the Bon Odori in Kuroishi was a large-scale event bustling with many instruments and people

Originally a crowd dance held at night, the festival evolved during the Bunka-Bunsei era (1804-1830) into a combination of "group dances" performed by townspeople and the ancient "street dances." From the Tenpo era (1830-1843), a dance called "Yosare-bushi" gained popularity and became one of the distinctive features of the Kuroishi Bon Odori

From decline in the Meiji era to revival in the postwar period

During the Meiji era, the trend towards modernization led to restrictions on Bon Odori (traditional Japanese dance) and local performing arts. Kuroishi's Bon Odori was also affected, and it ceased to be performed after 1897

Although there were apparently several attempts at temporary revival afterward, the full-scale restoration that leads to the present day only began after the war

Businesspeople in Kuroishi revived the Bon Odori dance with the aim of promoting local development, and from 1960 onwards, the Kuroishi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kuroishi Tourism Association developed it into a tourist event

It is believed that the name of the festival was changed from "Kuroishi Bon Odori" to "Kuroishi Yosare" around this time

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The three dances that make up Kuroishi Yosare

Kuroishi Yosare is mainly composed of three types of dances: "Nagashi Odori" (street dance), "Mawari Odori" (circular dance), and "Kumi Odori" (group dance). Each has a different way of being enjoyed and a different character to the dance, and by comparing the three, you can understand the depth of Kuroishi Yosare

"Nagashi Odori" - a street dance performed in the city streets

The "flowing dance" is the symbol of Kuroishi Yosare .

Dancers dressed in yukata and straw hats form groups and march through the city streets to the accompaniment of shamisen, drums, and songs

Against the backdrop of the historic townscape in the heart of Kuroishi City, including the wooden arcade "Komise" that has stood since the feudal era, the sight of dancers in matching yukata proceeding in a procession evokes the unique charm of Kuroishi, a town that developed as a castle town

A "circular dance" in which the audience can also join in

"Mawari Odori"is a participatory dance typical of Bon Odori, in which dancers and spectators dance in a circle.

Between the street dances, a circle is formed, which then develops into a large dance circle that includes the audience

Unlike the orderly procession dance, the charm of the circular dance lies in the blurred line between dancers and spectators. Even those unfamiliar with the choreography can participate by imitating the movements of those around them, experiencing the festival's energy up close

"Kumiodori" is a performance of Tsugaru folk songs and hand dances

"Kumiodori" is formally called "Tsugaru Folk Song Kumiodori."

This version of Tsugaru folk dance, which is often performed by a single dancer, features multiple dancers performing in unison

Dance groups from neighboring areas showcase their refined performances accompanied by shamisen, drums, and singing. The festival features not only traditional Tsugaru folk songs but also original choreography, and the differences in costumes and compositions of each group are a highlight

Furthermore, towards the end of the festival , there is an "Odorihadari" event in which anyone can freely participate

"Hadari" is a word from the Tsugaru region that means to beg or plead, and it represents an encore from people who haven't had enough dancing yet

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The Kuroishi Yosare Odori (original dance) is an intangible folk cultural property of Kuroishi City

The "Kuroishi Yosare Odori Moto Odori," a traditional dance of Kuroishi Yosare , was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kuroishi City on November 4, 1982.

"Moto-odori" is a traditional form that forms the basis of the diverse dances performed today

One of the reasons why Kuroishi Yosare has been passed down for so long is that it has preserved its long-standing history and traditions by inheriting the original dance as a cultural asset, while also accepting and coexisting with new forms of expression without rejecting them

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A festival that preserves tradition while allowing everyone to participate

The Kuroishi Yosare dance, which enlivened the castle town during the Edo period, declined in modern times, was revived after the war, and evolved through the development of choreography that anyone can follow, into its current form

Because three different dance styles—"nagashi-odori" (street dance), "mawari-odori" (circular dance), and "kumidori" (group dance)—coexist, both spectators and dancers can enjoy the festival from their own perspectives

When you visit, don't just watch; try joining the dance circle to experience its charm more deeply

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