Yosakoi's background

Yosakoi (よさこい) is a unique style of japanese dance which combines traditional japanese dance and music with modern dance styles, such as hip hop, jazz, rock, samba etc.

There are many Yosakoi teams in Japan, from universities as well as from local communities. Each team create their own team dances, with a new concept, costume, music and choreography every year. Anyone can join, no previous dance experience is required.

A team dance is a dance that can only be performed by the team who created it. But apart from that there are a lot of Sou-odori which are dances that all teams can learn and perform together. The word "Sou-odori" means common dance.

The costumes used by yosakoi teams vary widely. Happi coats and yukata are the most predominant costumes and can be seen in a wide variety of colors. However, some groups choose costumes that are based on historical attire, popular fashions, or ethnic fashions. Typically, all members of a team wear similar costumes.

One of the defining aspects of yosakoi dance is the use of naruko: small wooden clappers that are held in the hands of each dancer. Naruko were originally used in Kōchi Prefecture to scare birds away from rice fields. The traditional naruko has black and yellow beaters on a wooden body, but most modern yosakoi groups create their own naruko, choosing colors and materials that match their costumes. The use of naruko is required in yosakoi dance, but many groups also use other hand-held instruments or props, such as drums, other percussion instruments, flags, fans etc.

​

​