2011/10/09 Ikebukuro Japan: Fukuro Matsuri 2-day festival is held around JR Ikebukuro Stn where around 8,000 dancers let off energy in the streets.
Yosakoi is a unique style of dance that originated in Kouchi City, Japan in 1954, as a modern rendition of Awa Odori, a traditional summer dance.
Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout much of Japan. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music.
Choreographed dances are often performed in teams of 50 to 100.
The rules of the original Kouchi yosakoi competition are as follows:
Participants must use the hand-held 'naruko clappers' in the dance.
Any musical arrangement is acceptable, but the music must contain at least some part of Takemasa's original "Yosakoi Naruko Dancing" song.
Dance teams are limited to 150 participants. This second half of Fukuro Matsuri lasts a full week
