Sansa Odori

Sansa Odori is just awesome! According to the festival website “Sansa is Morioka’s vibrant traditional summer festival dance to celebrate banishing a demon. Dancers, drummers and flute players all perform in unison to create an unforgettable atmosphere.”

I have to agree- it's unforgettable! I'm struggling to adequately describe the event. Bascially, it is a parade consisting of different groups in traditional costumes dancing while playing drums. There are commonly bamboo flute players or bell ringers as part of the ensemble as well. The age of the participants seemed to range from 4 to 70. The majority of the players were female, although there certainly were men and boys participating as well. The groups performing represented professional teams, neighbor associations, school groups, kids clubs, and businesses, so there was a huge range in aptitude and complexity of the music and dance. At the end of the parade, everyone is invited up to join a circle dance with the dancers. Combined with the thousands of food vendors, festival games, and crowds, it turns into a giant street party. The whole experience is beautiful and exciting. Unfortunately, Catie is overtired and the crowds and the loud drumming scared her a bit. She demanded that we leave before the parade was half over both nights we tried to attend. Now we are enjoying hearing the drumming from our apartment. Maybe we'll be able to come back in a few years and enjoy the whole event!

Here’s a little clip & some photos to show you what it is like…

a few members of the large the Japan Railways team rocking their JR yukatas

Catie waiting for the parade to begin

one of the Miss Sansa dancers chatting with a Miss Taiko before the parade began

a huge mixed group with kids of all ages

I loved watching these little girls- they were tiny and so into it!