The Nonki-ren was formed
in Taisho 14 (1925).
Among the numerous Awa Odori groups,
Nonki-ren has the longest history and tradition.
They also serve as the leading group.
Nonki-ren is known for the ‘Nonki-cho’ dance,
which is considered as one of the three major styles of Awa Odori.
Under the philosophy,
“To Enjoy Together Where Dancers and Spectators Become One,”
they take on new challenges towards the future
while steadfastly preserving the traditions of the original Awa Odori.

Optimistic and cheerful, yet when they become passionate about something,
they pursue it to the very end.
They are also compassionate and kind.
These are the people of Awa known as ‘Tensui.’
Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year,
the Tensui-ren was founded under the philosophy of
“Bringing Smiles through AWAODORI,”
and continues to carry that spirit into the future.
Tensui-ren is a group that expresses the joy of living through their movements.

The阿 ‘A’ in ‘Awa’ is the same 阿 ‘A’
used in ‘ahou’ (fool).
‘Ahou-cho,’ is one of the three major styles of the Awa Odori.
The umbrella design embossed on their shoulders
remains unchanged from the group’s founding
and serves as the symbol of Ahou Ren,
a legacy built by their predecessors
that has been passed down through the generations.
Throughout its long history,
Aho-ren has produced numerous new dances,
creating a kind of Awa Odori that reflects the spirit of each era.
Among these is the one-of-a-kind female dance performance called ‘Yakko’, which
has become a summer tradition in Tokushima.

The group name ‘Mizutama-ren’ was derived from the polka-dot costumes
worn by the members when the group was formed.
The women’s dance expresses strength with refinement.
This elegant and dignified style is why it is known as the ‘Mizutama Women’s Dance.’
The men’s dance shows both stillness and movement
through a supple and delicate fan dance,
as well as the ‘Yokotobi Dance,’
in which the dancers swing their bodies widely from side to side in a vigorous performance.
Even the little ones energetically dance while holding lanterns in both hands.
Accompanied by the traditional, gentle rhythms of the festival music,
the Mizutama-ren, is dedicated to delivering a good old-fashioned Awa Odori performance.

This group was formed in Tokushima City, Fukushima,
a region known for its thriving woodworking industry.
The men’s dance, featuring costumes adorned with Fukushima Shinbashi Bridge,
which also inspired the group’s name,
is a free-spirited dance that offers a glimpse of supple artistry amidst its powerful energy.
The female dancers, adorned with charming butterfly hair ornaments
and vibrant pink and blue costumes,
skillfully perform a range of dances—from graceful movements reminiscent of a flowing river
to the fast-paced bamboo dance.
While preserving the traditions that have been passed down over the years,
they will continue to refine the ‘Shinbashi-ren dance.’

A group of dance enthusiasts originally gathered under the name ‘Odoran-kai,’
but since the ‘Kumi-odori’—considered as the origin of Awa Odori—
is said to have begun in the first year of the Tenpou era (1830–1844),
they changed their group name to ‘Tenpou Ren.’
The women’s fan dance is a unique dance exclusive to the group,
known as the ‘Tenpō Dance,’
which expresses a delicate beauty, with yellow fans fluttering like butterflies.
By blending the bold male dances, the graceful female dances,
and the heart-lifting sounds of the percussion instruments,
they continue to pursue new forms of expression while preserving the traditions.

Formed in Showa 42 (1967), Oogi Ren is a traditional Awa Odori dance group
formed to carry on the authentic style.
The group’s name, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune,
embodies their hopes for the future.
They combine boldness and tradition in their musical accompaniments,
together with the women’s graceful dance and the men’s expressive dance.
With the little ones joining in, a sense of oneness is created.
They bring a vibrant dance featuring the unique rhythms and colors unique to the Oogi Ren.

Named after ‘ukisuke,’ which means ‘cheerful person,’
the Ukisuke-ren was founded in Showa 21 (1946)
alongside the postwar revival of the Awa Odori.
The women’s dance features elegant and graceful movements
to the leisurely tempo of the musical instruments.
The men’s dance showcases each dancer’s individuality
as they move their fans in a free-spirited fashion.
In addition, they perform the ‘Octopus Dance,’
known for its comical movements and impressive techniques,
as well as the energetic ‘Little Kids Dance,’
performed by the next generation of dancers.
While preserving the original Awa Odori style,
they strive to create dances brimming with originality.

Formed in the 9th month of Showa 34 (September 1959),
the group’s name was inspired by Hanji Chikamatsu’s play
‘The Fallen Beauty of Awa’s Naruto’ (Keisei Awa no Naruto),
and with the ‘dekogashira’
(the head of the puppet used Awa Ningyo Joruri) as its trademark,
“Awanaru Ren” was established.
In the women’s dance, performers wear yukata inspired by the Naruto whirlpools,
pursuing a refined, graceful, and elegant beauty that conceals an inner allure,
revealing the elegance of Awa women through dance.
In the men’s dance, performers wear costumes featuring a ‘dekogashira’ on their backs,
showcasing bold and fluid movements that demonstrates the strength of Awa men.
The little ones, whose talent rivals that of adults are also a must see!

The group was formed in 1960, taking its name from a Japanese myth
in which Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is said to have danced,
holding bamboo branches in both hands,
to coax the sun goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami out of the Cave of Heaven.
The motto of their dance style is ‘free and unrestrained.’
The women’s dance is graceful,
and the performances are characterized by the use of black lights on stage.
The men’s dance involves lowering the hips and moving as if crawling on the ground,
with a focus on skillful fan techniques.

Lions and peonies; Tokushima and Awa Odori.
The ‘Wakajishi-ren’ was founded in Showa 48 (1973) in the town of Tokushima.
Known for its powerful and bold men’s dances
and elegant, graceful women’s dances—all performed in the ‘suodori’ style—
the group continues to convey the charm of Awa Odori
through dynamic performances accompanied by traditional percussion instruments.
The men’s yukata features a fierce lion,
while the women are adorned with butterfly and peony patterns.
While keeping the traditions and styles of Tokushima close to their hearts,
they continue to dance as one, uniting people across generations.

A radiant dance that blooms in the dark of night.
A female dancer moves gracefully,
with a colorful Japanese umbrella in her hand.
A male dancer, clad in a costume adorned with a Kincho-tanuki of Awa,
dashes across the stage.
Kane, shinobue flute, shamisen, shime-daiko, and oh-daiko
The harmonious melody of ‘Zomeki’ is brought to life by these five musical instruments.
When the sound and dance become one,
the stage is filled with the spirit of Awa.
A soul-stirring performance presented by the Awa-ren.
We hope you enjoy it.

Musou-ren was founded in Showa 51 (1976).
The men’s dance expresses vigor and delight
through the skillful handling of red fans.
The women’s dance charms audiences with its elegant and charming movements,
performed without raising the tips of their ‘geta.’
From ‘Hanamusou,’ a recreation of the “Awa Bon Odori” folding screen,
to “Mayamusou,” inspired by the geishas of the early Showa period,
they carry on the aspirations of their predecessors
embodied in the name ‘Musou,’
which means ‘to present a dance unlike any other.’

The name ‘Hazuki-ren’ comes from the month of August,
a time when the Awa Odori festival takes place.
It was also formed in August
when a group of dance enthusiasts got together,
hence the name ‘Hazuki-ren.’
Their costumes feature a white background with blue lines on the back—inspired by the Yoshino River—
that tie together at the back, symbolizing the unity of their members.
The children are full of limitless energy and big smiles.
Men’s dances are free and dynamic,
emphasizing individuality rather than rigid forms.
Women’s dances are feminine, elegant, and graceful.
While incorporating new ideas,
they continue to preserve the traditional, original Awa Odori.

Yoshikono Ren was named after the Awa Odori song ‘Yoshiko no Bushi.’
Formed in Showa 37 (1962),
the group is known for its traditional, lively rhythms that carry on the original style,
the graceful female dancers in their peach-colored yukatas,
the male dancers who perform expressively with their fans,
and the adorable children’s dance.
Please enjoy the rich, traditional sounds of the musical instruments
and the exquisite double-beat world created by the dancers.