2013年09月20日
武雄の荒踊り：英文
There are several hypotheses regarding why and how Araodori started. The dominant one is as follows: In 1530 AD, the warriors led by Goto, the lord of the Takeo Clan, defeated Arima’s forces who were trying to invade the Takeo territory from the Shimabara area. The low class warriors called Ashigai started dancing spontaneously in celebration of the victory. This dance eventually developed into a unique traditional art form.
The Art Forms;As the videos show, the common way of dancing in each place is by keeping a crouching posture like that of Sumo wrestlers. There are subtle differences among the Araodori in the three places: the hand and feet movements, Hayashi or music, costumes, and the order of songs and dances. The way the leading dancers called “Mosho” are followed by a long line of performers when entering and leaving under the Torii (i.e., gates of shrines) is a unique form of the celebrations. The Mosho’s costumes and their swords are reproductions of the ones used by the Ashigaru during those times
Songs;The contents of the songs are about love and celebration. This is particularly true for songs of the early to mid Edo era. Low class warriors called, Ashigaru were dancing and singing spontaneously to celebrate their victories in various conflicts. The contents of those songs were arranged in their own way.
A Furyu dance; is also performed by juniors to pray for rich harvests. Surprisingly, the junior dancers performed well. According to the announcements, they practiced hard over several months after school. I believe the local residents, surrounding communities, and schools have a valuable tradition of sincerely preserving their own traditional art forms indeed.
written by Hiroto Ikeda :1-Q presents
The Art Forms;As the videos show, the common way of dancing in each place is by keeping a crouching posture like that of Sumo wrestlers. There are subtle differences among the Araodori in the three places: the hand and feet movements, Hayashi or music, costumes, and the order of songs and dances. The way the leading dancers called “Mosho” are followed by a long line of performers when entering and leaving under the Torii (i.e., gates of shrines) is a unique form of the celebrations. The Mosho’s costumes and their swords are reproductions of the ones used by the Ashigaru during those times
Songs;The contents of the songs are about love and celebration. This is particularly true for songs of the early to mid Edo era. Low class warriors called, Ashigaru were dancing and singing spontaneously to celebrate their victories in various conflicts. The contents of those songs were arranged in their own way.
A Furyu dance; is also performed by juniors to pray for rich harvests. Surprisingly, the junior dancers performed well. According to the announcements, they practiced hard over several months after school. I believe the local residents, surrounding communities, and schools have a valuable tradition of sincerely preserving their own traditional art forms indeed.
2013年09月14日
星領浮立：英文
The shrine stands in a deep forest in the middle of Tenzan Mountain which is the largest mountain in Saga prefecture. It is quite a small event demonstrating a traditional performance art that has been sincerely preserved by the residents of the small village of Hoshiryou.
Hoshiryou-Furyu is dedicated to “Fujiwara Kamatari“, a deity to whom we pray for rich harvests. Allegedly, the Fujiwara Shrine was built in 1795. (The date of when the first Hoshiryou-Furyu originated is uncertain.) Only males are allowed to perform this ritual.
As the video clips show, the dancer called “Tentsuku-mai” performs certain choreographed movements (mainly two patterns of movement) which correspond to the Hayashi or unique music. The precise movements of the performance were repeated 7 times with the dancer facing a different direction in front of the shrine each time.One main pattern of movement consists of choreographed moves: some prostrate and some as steps. The other main pattern of movement is a form of drum dancing.The uniqueness of this ritual is embodied in the costume of the dancer, which has a crescent-shaped horn, and the method of dance which involves the beating of drums while dancing. This ritual possesses the traits of “Tentsuku-mai”, one of the streams of Furyu dance.
Actually, several rituals like Hoshiryou-Furyu have disappeared due to declining populations in each village. So I admire the Hoshiryou residents who have been preserving this ritual and handing it down to future generations. (Next year, I hope I will be able to report on other Furyu festivals around Kiyuragi, Amagawa and Hirose.)
Well…I had difficulty arriving at the event because I didn’t have a detailed map. I eventually encountered a small village, so I got out of my car to ask for directions to the event. Unfortunately, nobody was at home even though I could see that the doors of the village houses were opened. I finally bumped into an elderly peasant. He kindly told me “go straight along this road. It’s just around the corner.” However, after driving straight along that particular road for 15 minutes, I arrived at a 3-way fork in the road!! I thought, “What should I do? I ‘m almost late for the start of the event!! (I should have taken into account the local people’s sense of distance and direction….) I chose the middle route and stepped on the accelerator. I saw several cars lined up along the side of the road. When I pulled over to the side of the road I finally heard the sounds of drums and flutes!!
Hoshiryou-Furyu is dedicated to “Fujiwara Kamatari“, a deity to whom we pray for rich harvests. Allegedly, the Fujiwara Shrine was built in 1795. (The date of when the first Hoshiryou-Furyu originated is uncertain.) Only males are allowed to perform this ritual.
As the video clips show, the dancer called “Tentsuku-mai” performs certain choreographed movements (mainly two patterns of movement) which correspond to the Hayashi or unique music. The precise movements of the performance were repeated 7 times with the dancer facing a different direction in front of the shrine each time.One main pattern of movement consists of choreographed moves: some prostrate and some as steps. The other main pattern of movement is a form of drum dancing.The uniqueness of this ritual is embodied in the costume of the dancer, which has a crescent-shaped horn, and the method of dance which involves the beating of drums while dancing. This ritual possesses the traits of “Tentsuku-mai”, one of the streams of Furyu dance.
Actually, several rituals like Hoshiryou-Furyu have disappeared due to declining populations in each village. So I admire the Hoshiryou residents who have been preserving this ritual and handing it down to future generations. (Next year, I hope I will be able to report on other Furyu festivals around Kiyuragi, Amagawa and Hirose.)
Well…I had difficulty arriving at the event because I didn’t have a detailed map. I eventually encountered a small village, so I got out of my car to ask for directions to the event. Unfortunately, nobody was at home even though I could see that the doors of the village houses were opened. I finally bumped into an elderly peasant. He kindly told me “go straight along this road. It’s just around the corner.” However, after driving straight along that particular road for 15 minutes, I arrived at a 3-way fork in the road!! I thought, “What should I do? I ‘m almost late for the start of the event!! (I should have taken into account the local people’s sense of distance and direction….) I chose the middle route and stepped on the accelerator. I saw several cars lined up along the side of the road. When I pulled over to the side of the road I finally heard the sounds of drums and flutes!!
2013年09月10日
Furyu 浮立：英文
9月から10月にかけて佐賀県内あちらこちらで、浮立踊りが奉納されますね。いろいろな踊りの形態があって見てて楽しいです。歴史や成り立ちも興味深いものがあります。 以下の記事は私が8年前に撮って英文にしたものです。 これらは浮立についての総論です。もし機会があれば、個々の浮立についてもアップできればとおもいます。
The word "Furyu" is written with the Chinese characters pronounced as "Fuuryu" in Japanese. In English, "Fuuryu" carries the meaning of "cool" or "chic"nwith respect to culture, customs, and nature. Sometimes it is called Furyu-Odori, or Furyu dancing. Furyu dance is performed to the music called Hayashi, a unique combination of flutes, drums, and bells. Fuuryu dance has a wide variety of dance forms. Bon dancing is a representative form of Furyu. Bon dance festivals take place in most communities throughout Japan during Bon, the middle of summer. The word "Bon" is a Buddhist erm. People welcome their ancestors' spirits which are believed to come back home from another world during Bon by performing Bon dances and hanging lanterns.Nenbutsu Odori (Budhist Invocation Dance), Taiko Odori (Drum Dancing), and Shishi Odori (Lion Dance) are other representative forms of Furyu. The Chinese characters for Furyu are "Kaze" meaning wind and "Nagare" referring to stream. But around northwestern Kyushu, throughout Saga and the northern Nagasaki area wich used to be called Hizen in the feudal era, Furyu is written in the Japanese words "Uku," meaning floating,and "Tatsu," meaning standing. This loosely translates to the words "becoming ecstatic or excited" in Chinese characters. Roughly speaking, Furyu in this area can be categorized into three forms:Zanidaiko-Buryu, Men-Buryu, and Tentsukumai.
Fumaneki Furyu
Araodori
Zenidaiko-Buryu is mainly performed in northwestern Saga, around Imari in particular. Each village around Imari seems to have its unique form of Furyu. Fumanekifuryu is representative of the Furyu in the area.This Furyu dance is a form of prayer for rain and a rich harvest. It's special in that young women wearing colorful kimono dance swiftly while beating small tumbler-like drums called Zeni-Daiko. The movements of the dancers correspond to music called Hayashi and songs. Flutes, bells and drums are typical instruments. And men aggressively and elegantly perform OO-Daiko odori, a dance involving the beating of a big drum.
Hioshiryou
Ichikawa Tentsukumai
Ｓhirohige ｄengaku
Meta Furyu
Men-Buryu is dancing performed with masks in the Kashima area, southwestern Saga and the northern part of Nagasaki. This form of Furyu is dedicated to the war dead, from Japan's civil war era in particular. It is written that masked-warriors of Nabishma Noshige, a subordinate of Ryozozi, fought and succeeded in repelling Ootomo's invasion from Bungo (i.e., present day Ooita). To celebrate their triumph, a dance was performed. Otonari Bougaira's is a good example of this dance. It takes place annually in the middle of September. This bold performance is a celebration of victory in war. (Unfortunately, I was not able to see the Men-Buryu performance.)
Tentsukumai-Furyu: Tentsukumai-Furyu, mainly performed around the Saga plain and northern mountainous areas including the Seifuri and Tenzan mountains.It is called Genba-Ryu or Genba-School named after Yamamo Genba. He was the founder of Tentsukumai-Furyu in 1556 at Horie Shrine in Saga. He choreographed the indigenous Japanese dances performedin Kyoto and other parts of central Japan for the locals. In 1556, Genba started to perform Furyu at Horie Shrine in Saga to pray for rain. His style of Furyu dance was prevalent in the surrounding area. "Tentsukumai" literally means "the dance trusting the sky." The crescent-shaped figurethat the Tentsumai is wearing on his head is called Tentsuki. A sun, moon, or star is painted in the middle of the Tentsuki. In the feudal era, if a Tentsukumai failed in his performance, he was supposed to commit seppuku on a straw mat tightened around his back.
The following are other forms of Furyu in Hizen:Gyoretus-Buryu (Furyu of processions), Shishi-Bryu (Furyu of lions), Kane-Buryu (Furyu of ringing bells) ,and others
Bon dancing is a representative form of Furyu. Bon dance festivals take place in most communities throughout Japan during Bon, the middle of summer. The word “Bon” is a Buddhist term. People welcome their ancestors’ spirits which are believed to come back home from another world during Bon by performing Bon dances and hanging lanterns. During this time, most people throughout Japan return to their parents’ homes and enjoy a feast. “Awaodori” is one of the biggest festivals in Japan like the Rio Carnival in Brazil. Many people across Japan, including people from overseas, can participate in the lively dance parade. There is a famous phrase that goes, "When it comes to Awaodori dancing, dancers and spectators alike are crazy. So, why not enjoy dancing? What a waste if you don't dance!"
written by Hiroto:Ikkyou
＊ヴィデオもありますがここでは動きません。あいにく、鹿島の面浮立は撮った写真データと記事が見つかりません。
）これらの浮立踊りは一部です。カヴァーできなかった浮立まだまだあります。いつかまた見に行きたいです。
The word "Furyu" is written with the Chinese characters pronounced as "Fuuryu" in Japanese. In English, "Fuuryu" carries the meaning of "cool" or "chic"nwith respect to culture, customs, and nature. Sometimes it is called Furyu-Odori, or Furyu dancing. Furyu dance is performed to the music called Hayashi, a unique combination of flutes, drums, and bells. Fuuryu dance has a wide variety of dance forms. Bon dancing is a representative form of Furyu. Bon dance festivals take place in most communities throughout Japan during Bon, the middle of summer. The word "Bon" is a Buddhist erm. People welcome their ancestors' spirits which are believed to come back home from another world during Bon by performing Bon dances and hanging lanterns.Nenbutsu Odori (Budhist Invocation Dance), Taiko Odori (Drum Dancing), and Shishi Odori (Lion Dance) are other representative forms of Furyu. The Chinese characters for Furyu are "Kaze" meaning wind and "Nagare" referring to stream. But around northwestern Kyushu, throughout Saga and the northern Nagasaki area wich used to be called Hizen in the feudal era, Furyu is written in the Japanese words "Uku," meaning floating,and "Tatsu," meaning standing. This loosely translates to the words "becoming ecstatic or excited" in Chinese characters. Roughly speaking, Furyu in this area can be categorized into three forms:Zanidaiko-Buryu, Men-Buryu, and Tentsukumai.
Fumaneki Furyu
Araodori
Zenidaiko-Buryu is mainly performed in northwestern Saga, around Imari in particular. Each village around Imari seems to have its unique form of Furyu. Fumanekifuryu is representative of the Furyu in the area.This Furyu dance is a form of prayer for rain and a rich harvest. It's special in that young women wearing colorful kimono dance swiftly while beating small tumbler-like drums called Zeni-Daiko. The movements of the dancers correspond to music called Hayashi and songs. Flutes, bells and drums are typical instruments. And men aggressively and elegantly perform OO-Daiko odori, a dance involving the beating of a big drum.
Hioshiryou
Ichikawa Tentsukumai
Ｓhirohige ｄengaku
Meta Furyu
Men-Buryu is dancing performed with masks in the Kashima area, southwestern Saga and the northern part of Nagasaki. This form of Furyu is dedicated to the war dead, from Japan's civil war era in particular. It is written that masked-warriors of Nabishma Noshige, a subordinate of Ryozozi, fought and succeeded in repelling Ootomo's invasion from Bungo (i.e., present day Ooita). To celebrate their triumph, a dance was performed. Otonari Bougaira's is a good example of this dance. It takes place annually in the middle of September. This bold performance is a celebration of victory in war. (Unfortunately, I was not able to see the Men-Buryu performance.)
Tentsukumai-Furyu: Tentsukumai-Furyu, mainly performed around the Saga plain and northern mountainous areas including the Seifuri and Tenzan mountains.It is called Genba-Ryu or Genba-School named after Yamamo Genba. He was the founder of Tentsukumai-Furyu in 1556 at Horie Shrine in Saga. He choreographed the indigenous Japanese dances performedin Kyoto and other parts of central Japan for the locals. In 1556, Genba started to perform Furyu at Horie Shrine in Saga to pray for rain. His style of Furyu dance was prevalent in the surrounding area. "Tentsukumai" literally means "the dance trusting the sky." The crescent-shaped figurethat the Tentsumai is wearing on his head is called Tentsuki. A sun, moon, or star is painted in the middle of the Tentsuki. In the feudal era, if a Tentsukumai failed in his performance, he was supposed to commit seppuku on a straw mat tightened around his back.
The following are other forms of Furyu in Hizen:Gyoretus-Buryu (Furyu of processions), Shishi-Bryu (Furyu of lions), Kane-Buryu (Furyu of ringing bells) ,and others
Bon dancing is a representative form of Furyu. Bon dance festivals take place in most communities throughout Japan during Bon, the middle of summer. The word “Bon” is a Buddhist term. People welcome their ancestors’ spirits which are believed to come back home from another world during Bon by performing Bon dances and hanging lanterns. During this time, most people throughout Japan return to their parents’ homes and enjoy a feast. “Awaodori” is one of the biggest festivals in Japan like the Rio Carnival in Brazil. Many people across Japan, including people from overseas, can participate in the lively dance parade. There is a famous phrase that goes, "When it comes to Awaodori dancing, dancers and spectators alike are crazy. So, why not enjoy dancing? What a waste if you don't dance!"
written by Hiroto:Ikkyou
＊ヴィデオもありますがここでは動きません。あいにく、鹿島の面浮立は撮った写真データと記事が見つかりません。
）これらの浮立踊りは一部です。カヴァーできなかった浮立まだまだあります。いつかまた見に行きたいです。
