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[Yamagata Prefecture] What is Hanagasa Ondo? Detailed introduction from overview to interesting episodes

Hanagasa Ondo, with its lively shakuhachi, shamisen, and taiko drum accompaniment and the memorable chant "Yasho, makasho," is a famous folk song performed at the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, held every year from August 5th to 7th

In this article, we will explain in detail what Hanagasa Ondo is, as well as some interesting stories related to it

Reference: Yamagata Hanagasa Festival Official Website

Hanagasa Ondo?

Hanagasa Ondo is a folk song performed at the Hanagasa Festival, which is mainly held in Yamagata Prefecture. It originated around 1938 when folk song performer Arumi Toshu, who lived in Yamagata City, used the first half of the verse of the "Yagura Dotsuki Uta" song that his apprentice Ito Momoka had memorized, and Toshu came up with the second half, which his apprentice Horie Tanji performed with accompaniment

Hanagasa Ondo is often performed by women holding flower hats, and there were around 10 different choreographies depending on the region, but in 1999 a standard choreography incorporating relatively dynamic movements was established, and due to this characteristic, the number of male dancers is now increasing

Interesting stories about Hanagasa Ondo

Here are three interesting stories about Hanagasa Ondo

[ Hanagasa Ondo①] Michiya Mihashi's song becomes a million-seller

Michiya Mitsuhashi, a singer who produced 30 million-selling songs during the Showa era, had 12 folk songs that achieved million-selling success. Among them, did you know that Hanagasa Ondo was a huge hit, selling 2.7 million copies?

When listening to the recordings left behind by Mitsuhashi Michiya, it seems that he sings while cherishing the brightness and good tempo of Hanagasa Ondo, weaving in laughter that makes you imagine a smile in his voice

When you think of Michiya Mitsuhashi, many people may think of his singing voice singing "Ii Mon da na Kokyo wa," the commercial song for the snack brand "Carl," but Hanagasa Ondo is also a must-listen song

[ Hanagasa Ondo ②] Mukasari Ema at Wakamatsuji Temple

The "Wakamatsu-sama" that appears in the opening lyrics of the Hanagasa Ondo is said to refer to Suzutateyama Wakamatsu-ji Temple in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture

The temple enshrines Wakamatsu Kannon, the god of matchmaking, in keeping with the atmosphere of the lyrics of the Hanagasa Ondo song. Wakamatsu Temple is also famous for having 1,300 Mukasari votive plaques dedicated there, starting with the first one donated in 1898

There are several theories about the meaning of mukasari, including that it is a corrupted version of the words "welcome" and "leave," and that it means "a daughter who has married leaves," but in Yamagata Prefecture it is a dialect word meaning a wedding

For this reason, Mukasari ema are dedicated to children who died before marriage, depicting a posthumous marriage (ghost marriage), but it is considered taboo to use the name or portrait of a living person, as this person will be taken away by the dead

It could be said that this is a mysterious episode that contrasts with the bright atmosphere of the Hanagasa Ondo

Reference: Wakamatsuji Temple "Mukasari Ema"

[Interesting story about Hanagasa Ondo ③] It is danced to prevent the need for nursing care

Hanagasa Ondo is also danced as a form of exercise to prevent the need for nursing care

Koichi Babata, a music health instructor, has devised a nursing care exercise using the Hanagasa Ondo song to alleviate muscle weakness and lack of exercise

Care Home Canaan, a paid nursing home in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is known for its emphasis on musical recreation, with Babata at the center of it all. A video of the nursing exercises using the Hanagasa Ondo song that were performed there has been viewed 13,000 times on YouTube

The sight of the residents wearing Hanagasa Ondo costumes and dancing with such joy is heartwarming

Reference: Care Home Canaan official website

summary

Hanagasa Ondo is a folk song that is performed at the Hanagasa Festival, which is mainly held in Yamagata Prefecture, but since the choreography was standardized in 1999, it has been discovered that it is now danced by a wide range of people, regardless of age or gender

If you visit Yamagata in the summer, be sure to take part in the Hanagasa Festival

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