The biggest ever Bon Dance, a massive event that perhaps only the World Expo stage could realize, took place in Osaka, resulting in two Guinness World Records titles.
The event took place as part of “Osaka Week” within the Osaka Expo site, which showcases what the city has on offer. Highlights of which included the record attempt for the largest Bon Dance (non-costumed) and most nationalities performing Bon Dance simultaneously.
Bon Dance (or Bon Odori) is a traditional Japanese dance performed by people during the Obon season. Obon season is a time to honour one’s ancestorial spirits, and Bon Dance used to be a ritual to receive the spirits and send them off again.
While the dance has religious history, it now has much more of a secular aspect to it: to enjoy the summer festive season with your community.
And for the “Osaka Week” event, organizers wanted to cross over boundries of different countries and cultures through a huge Bon Dance gathering.
At the centre of the Expo arena – named Matsuri (Japanese for Festival) – a large yagura (wooden scaffold where musicians are usually placed) was set up as per Bon Dance custom.
Participants encircle the yagura as they dance the choreography they practised in online sessions carried out prior to the actual event.
And the practice paid off. None of the 3,946 participants were disqualified during the five-minute attempt. All participants, from 62 countries, came together to break two Guinness World Records title in perfect execution.
As the guideline allowed people to wear what they like (instead of yukata usually worn for Bon Dance), many came with imaginative costumes, including traditional clothing from around the world.
AloJapan.com