Gender and Awa Dance Movement, Hisako Nakamura, Japan

Gender and Awa Dance Movement

Hisako Nakamura, Japan

Awa Dance, one of the most famous folk dances in Japan, has two types of movement, "male dance" and "female dance." "Male dance" is dynamic, free and unrestricted, emphasizing masculinity, with knees deeply bent, soles touching the ground squarely, and elbows bent far apart. "Female dance" is graceful and elegant, emphasizing femininity, with knees slightly bent, only the toes touching the ground, elbows closer together and fingers wiggling lively.

Before WWll, men and women performed together with no distinction between male and female dance. But after the war, separation of genders began to appear. Awa Dance in the post-war period developed as a resource for tourism. Dancing contests were held from 1948-51. During these years Awa Dance groups reconsidered the dance, refining movements, designing unified costumes and making the dance visually enjoyable.

As subgroups developed, some women began to wear men's costume and perform "male dance." This study deals with gender in Awa Dance, focusing on how women started to dance in a feminine way and how they recognized their own talents.

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