Renewing festival music and dance while respecting history

The big change is that ''the whole festival moves with live music performed by a large number of people.'' The parade was made even more spectacular by playing live festival music while pulling a newly installed drum cart. The festival music was a re-arrangement of the original ''Waraji Ondo'' composed by Yuji Koseki, a composer from Fukushima City, by Yoshihide Otomo, a musician with ties to Fukushima City. Based on the rhythm of the Fukushima Bon Dance Song, which has been passed down in Fukushima since ancient times, we rearranged it into a Japanese drum ensemble, added the new ''Waraji Taiko Midare Uchi'', and evolved it into a style that can be performed by a large number of people.

The dancing has been completely changed to match the lively music. While holding a ring called ''waranowa'' in both hands, the dancers dance powerfully and gorgeously, adding character to the movements of their lower bodies. The dancers' costumes were also inspired by peaches, a specialty of Fukushima, making it a dance that anyone can enjoy and can easily learn, even for those who don't know the choreography.

Please come and witness the Fukushima Waraji Festival, which has become more colorful and dynamic. I'm sure you'll want to participate.