ODORI-ZAMURAI

I have not been writing on this blog too long time!! It is not because there is anything funny or hot in my days that I didn’t write. I have experienced so enjoyable and rare things. So, I think it is not so hard problem to write 3 or 4 blogs from now. I have lots of what I talk about. However some efforts might be needed in order to remember them because it has past some months since them!


Anyway, I am going to write about my club activity at first.
The club I belong to is Yosakoi dance team named “‘Odori-zamurai’ of Waseda University.” Yosakoi is the Japanese traditional dance, which is becoming so modernistic today. Yosakoi dance is not the name of only one dance, rather the name of genre. It does not exist that the only one form that Yosakoi dance should be like. There are a number of Yosakoi teams in Japan. They make their original song, costume, dances by themselves. There are only two rule in Yosakoi dance; using Naruko (it is instrument-like which makes sounds when we shake it, like maracas.) and the original song consists the part of traditional Yosakoi tune. However, except these two, there isn’t any rule. This freedom generates various costumes, song and dance. Because there is not same performance, it is so fun to watch! These teams practice dances for the performance in the Yosakoi festivals here and there. You can find so many Yosakoi festivals in Japan, from Hokkaido to Shikoku!

I will explain about the reason I got in ‘Odori-zamuai.’ The team is the group by the students in Waseda University. I did know about the team when I was a high school student. And I decided to be going to belong to Odori-zamurai at that time. However, just after entering University it didn’t occurred to me that the idea of going into the club in other University. Instead, I belonged to some club, but I couldn’t feel my fitting to them somehow. Then, I decided to visit Odori-zamurai. The answer came out so fast. I got to be fond of the atmosphere and activity, and I belonged to Odori-xamurai. I went into the team in the middle of the year, but the member was so kind to me and friendly. The best of all, to dance Yosakoi is very exciting!! I love it!

As I explained about Yosakoi teams in Japan, Odori-zamurai perform in festivals nationally. The first festival I participated in was “Niigata-Sou-Odori.” As you can see by the name of festival, it is held in Niigata prefecture, in September.

Because I joined the team just before the festival, it was hard to acquire the dance in short term. The dance of our team is so hard and difficult! In the summer vacation (just after coming back from Shikoku) my senior member of the team was so kind enough to come to teach me the dance only for me. Though it was SUMMER VACATION! Her name is Ms. Shake. I appreciate her so much even now.

Though I forgot to write about, there is a rule in Odori-zamurai.
It is to call each other by nickname, not real name. The nickname is usually given from a senior member. The member is allowed to name any nickname. Therefore, there are various names. Some have reasonable origin, and others don’t. I’ll show you some nicknames which really exist in my team.

Poteko (girl); Becaouse she loves potates.
White (boy); Because he wore white T-shirts the day.
Read (girl); Because she like reading.
Caloriemate (boy); Because the member named him wanted to name it, that all!

Isn’t this fun?? My nickname is Satsuki. It has reasonable origin.
Satsuki (girl); Because my name is Mei, which origin from that my birthday is May. In Japanese, May is translated into Satsuki. That is reason.

Oh, I forgot to describe my first festival. We went to Niigata by bus. It was just like picnic! After arriving at Hotel, we went out for playing with group made by member who is charge in the festival.

There are groups in every festival because it is not easy moving with all member in festival. And the group is changed every festival. I like the system very much because the small group makes it easier to be mixed up with senior member who I have not talked so much.

I made this too long! I will write about the day of festival next blog.