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

The Hanagasa Ondo, with its lively accompaniment of shakuhachi, shamisen, and taiko drums, and the musical accompaniment of ``yassho, makasho'' is impressive, and is a folk song performed at the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, which is held from August 5th to 7th every year. It's famous.

In this article, we will introduce in detail what Hanagasa Ondo is, as well as interesting anecdotes related to Hanagasa Ondo.

Reference: Yamagata Hanagasa Festival Official Homepage

Hanagasa Ondo ?

Hanagasa Ondo is a folk song that is performed at the Hanagasa Festival, which is held mainly in Yamagata Prefecture.Around 1938, Mr. Toshu Ariumi, a folk song artist living in Yamagata City, created a song called ``Yagurado Tsuki Uta'' that his disciple Momoka Ito had memorized. '' was used as it is for the first half, and the second half was invented by Mr. Momoshu and performed with accompaniment by his disciple, Mr. Horie Taiji.

Hanagasa Ondo is often danced by women with a flower hat in hand, and there were about 10 types of choreography depending on the region, but in 1999, a standard choreography incorporating relatively dynamic movements was established, and due to its characteristics, it is now performed by men. The number of dancers is increasing.

Interesting anecdotes related to Hanagasa Ondo

Here are three interesting anecdotes about Hanagasa Ondo.

[ Hanagasa Ondo ①] Michiya Mitsuhashi achieves million seller

Singer Michiya Mitsuhashi, who produced 30 million-selling songs during the Showa era, has achieved million-selling folk songs with 12 songs, but among them, Hanagasa Ondo, which became a huge hit with 2.7 million copies sold. Do you know?

When I listen to the sound source that Michiya Mitsuhashi left behind, I feel that he sings while cherishing the brightness and good tempo of Hanagasa Ondo, interweaving the "laughing voice" that makes you imagine a smile in his voice.

When you think of Michiya Mitsuhashi, many people may think of his singing voice in ``Iimondana Nakotoha'', which was the commercial song for the sweets ``Karl'', but Hanagasa Ondo is also a must-hear song.

[ Hanagasa Ondo ②] Mukasari Ema at Wakamatsuji Temple

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

Wakamatsu Kannon, the god of matchmaking, is enshrined in keeping with the atmosphere of the lyrics of Hanagasa Ondo, and Wakamatsuji Temple is also famous for having 1,300 Mukasari votive tablets dedicated to it, starting with the one dedicated in 1898.

There are theories that Mukasari is an corruption of the words ``welcome'' and ``leave,'' and that it means ``a daughter who is married and leaves,'' but in Yamagata Prefecture, it is a dialect that means a wedding.

For this reason, Mukasari ema are dedicated to children who have passed away without getting married by depicting a posthumous marriage. It is considered taboo because people are taken away by the dead.

You could say it's a mysterious episode that contrasts with the bright atmosphere of Hanagasa Ondo.

Reference: Wakamatsuji Temple “Mukasari Ema”

[Interesting episode related to Hanagasa Ondo ③] Danced to prevent nursing care

Hanagasa Ondo is also danced as an exercise to prevent nursing care.

Koichi Babada, a music health instructor, devised a nursing care exercise using Hanagasa Ondo with the aim of relieving muscle weakness and lack of exercise.

Care Home Canaan, a paid nursing home in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is famous as a facility that focuses on music recreation led by Mr. Babada, and the nursing care exercises using Hanagasa Ondo practiced here are available on YouTube. It has been viewed 13,000 times.

It is heartwarming to see the residents wearing Hanagasa Ondo costumes and dancing happily.

Reference: Care Home Canaan Official Homepage

summary

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

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

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