![]() The members of our group range from 3 to 70. “People start from all ages,” says Berreman. While most members are in their 20s and 30s, some members are children under age ten. Although our members leave the Bay Area, I still consider them members of a growing Awakko Ren.”Īnyone can join SF Awakko Ren. Despite moving to other countries, raising families, and getting jobs, we have stayed connected with everyone, even getting together in foreign countries. “Because the majority of our members are so young, their plans are quickly evolving. “Our group is special because we keep in touch and continue our relationships outside the group,” says Berreman. Members who visit Tokushima in August often return to dance with their former groups a few have even gone on to join some of Japan’s most prominent Awa Odori dance groups. Here at home in San Francisco, all 30 SF Awakko Ren dancers and musicians are volunteers, some of whom occasionally partake in Tokushima City events. More than 1.3 million attendees partake in the festivities in Tokushima City each year, serving as a certain economic stimulus Tokushima City can count on annually. Sheer numbers vividly demonstrate the magnet effect Awa Odori has in Japan. The Sudachi fruit is no doubt the subject of an expansive Awa Odori music and dance repertoire. ![]() This devout group from Tokushima is called Tokushima Kenjin-Kai.Įxceedingly proud of her native land, Berreman wants to share with the Bay Area community all that makes Tokushima City beautiful and distinct, even the native fruit – namely the Sudachi, a type of citrus widely sold in Japan and sold in particularly large numbers during Awa Odori festivities in August. Among those from Japan is a specific group within the group, inspired by fond memories and a profound longing to unite people from Tokushima. SF Awakko Ren (ren – meaning a group of dancers and musicians) is comprised of members from both the United States as well as Japan. And in college, my friends and I formed a student group.” “I grew up participating in Awa Odori as a spectator, musician, and occasionally a dancer. “Awa Odori was the highlight of every summer up until I moved to the United States,” says Berreman. Berreman recalls the avid participation being so far reaching that schools, parks, gyms, and most business offices were involved. Over the last century, both Awa Odori and Tokushima City have become synonymous with community involvement. Samurais were also forbidden from partaking and could not carry their weapons or wear masks. Limits to the duration of the event were set long ago, to circumvent disorderly conduct, which explains the reason festivities could not exceed three days. As the story goes, the celebration inspired what is known as the Dance of the Fools, along with a famous quote that says, “It’s a fool who dances and a fool who watches! If both are fools, you might as well have fun dancing.” Among the most popular involves the celebration of the completion of Tokushima Castle in 1587 (approximately), when partygoers were rumored to have consumed excessive amounts of sake, motivating celebrators to break into song, dance, and uproarious laughter. Several theories on the origin of the Awa Odori art form have been passed down through the ages. The tradition is rooted in the Japanese Buddhist observance of Obon (the Festival of The Dead), held annually between August 12 and 15 a sacred time when people welcome the return of their ancestors’ spirits. ![]() Awa refers to the former name of Tokushima Prefecture (a subdivision of the region) and Odori means dance.Īs one of the biggest dance festivals in Japan, Awa Odori celebrations are both social and spiritual. Traditionally, Awa Odori is spelled as one word in Japanese – Awaodori. I wanted to bring that cheerful and inclusive spirit of Awa Odori to my community and kids in the Bay Area.” “I love my hometown,” shares Berreman, “and I hoped to feel connected to Japan in California. Artistic director Rimiko Berreman of SF Awakko Ren, a Tokushima City native where Awa Odori originated, founded the organization in 2011 with the intention of reuniting those from her region with the art form, carrying on the tradition locally, and growing its audience.įittingly, Berreman was visiting Tokushima City, located on Shikoku island in Japan, during the writing of this article, making this telling about the founding of her Awa Odori music and dance troupe SF Awakko Ren and synopsis on the history of the art form especially personal. Awa Odori, dating back over four-hundred years, is one of Japan’s most beloved annual festivals and is a vibrant part of the Bay Area arts community.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |