We had a 1.5-hour rehearsal (from 7:30pm to 9pm) for the traditional Japanese folk dance called the bon-otori (Bon dance). Yazawa-sensei tells us that the Bon Dance differs depending on what Japanese town you are in. We have the actual event next Friday, Aug. 14. It is a such a big holiday that all university libraries will be closed from at least Aug. 14 to Aug. 16. Some are even closed from Aug. 8 to Aug. 16. I know this because I had to revise my one-week intensive research plan to public libraries instead of university libraries.
Most people at the rehearsal tonight were young men, as in late teens to early twenties. Most women were elderly women. Many children came also. It was my first time being in this type of environment, especially around mostly young men in Japan- their hairstyles are interesting. They were the ones who sang and played the instruments as we danced.
The young men formed the circle outside while elderly women formed the circle inside. Dancers would chant/sing from times to times with the main singer and the music. I look forward to the real thing next Friday when everyone puts on yukata (men too?).
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