Awa Odori dance festival brightens west Japan's Tokushima
On the first day, dancers took to outdoor stages in matching "happi" coats. Female dancers, wearing woven hats, moved their feet gracefully, while male dancers showcased powerful forward movements with lowered stances.
The venues' balcony seats were filled with spectators, and the loud and lively "zomeki bayashi" festival music featuring drums and shamisen filled the air.
The 2024 Awa Odori event was held amid the announcement of a Nankai Trough earthquake advisory. This year's venues have enhanced safety measures, including the deployment of speaker-equipped drones to alert attendees to evacuate in the event of a major quake.
(Japanese original by Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Tokushima Bureau)
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Awa Odori dance festival brightens west Japan's Tokushima
TOKUSHIMA -- The four-day Awa Odori festival kicked off with its typical splendor on Aug. 12 with dancers showcasing their energetic performances. On the first day, dancers took to outdoor stages in matching "happi" coats. Female dancers, wearing woven hats, moved their feet gracefully, while male dancers showcased powerful forward movements with lowered stances. The venues' balcony seats were filled with spectators, and the loud and lively "zomeki bayashi" festival music featuring drums and shamisen filled the air. The 2024 Awa Odori event was held amid the announcement of a Nankai Trough earthquake advisory. This year's venues have enhanced safety measures, including the deployment of speaker-equipped drones to alert attendees to evacuate in the event of a major quake. (Japanese original by Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Tokushima Bureau)
