Traditional Japanese dance steps into FranceーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Now we take a look at a traditional Japanese summer dance that's spreading overseas. Awa Odori sees people wear colorful outfits and dance through the streets to the beat of drums. The performance originated in Tokushima Prefecture in western Japan. But it's gradually become a common sight in places across the country. It's now even crossed borders, making its way to one of Europe's most stylish cities. This is the Japan Expo near Paris. A showcase for Japanese arts and culture. One of its most popular events is a performance of Awa Odori done by dancers from Tokyo. This July, they gave the traditional moves a modern spin for audiences. And they were clearly a hit. Parisians even got a chance to dance themselves. They donned Awa Odori outfits and grooved the summer heat away alongside the Japanese performers. We spoke with French participant Kenny Poirier, an organizer of an Awa Odori group. I asked him what it is about the dance that appeals to him. After dancing together, Kenny's group signed a friendship treaty with the Tokyo troupe. They plan to team up to take their performances to the next level to appeal to international audiences. It's where Awa Odori is born, and it's a very important festival for us. Kenny is hopeful that Awa Odori can help create a world where people can be united and become better friends. Egashira Ayano, NHK World. Well, Japanese dancers say Awa Odori is known to be very informal. It embraces a culture where anyone can join, regardless of age, social status, or nationality. And Nago, that's part of the appeal, right? Yes. I had a chance to watch Awa Odori in Tokyo. There's a very famous Awa Odori festival in Koenji. And quite a few people from abroad were taking part. They seemed to simply walk in and enjoy. I heard them say, like, oh, this is really fun. So the simple and informal nature of the dance is certainly a factor that attracts people from overseas, even with no experiences.