Kawachi ondo

Origin

Kawachi Ondo (河内音頭) is a kind of Japanese folk song that originates from Yao City (Yao-shi) in the old Kawachi region of Japan, now part of modern-day Osaka Prefecture). This song's style and melody are said to have evolved from another folk song called Goshu Ondo from Shiga Prefecture, known as Goshu in earlier days. Kawachi Ondo accompanies the Bon dance (also known as Bon Odori) in the Osaka/Kawachi region of Japan, however, this song has recently grown in popularity, that it is often played at other major bon dances, even in Tokyo.

Form

"Kawachi Ondo" is actually a fluid form of traditional folk music. It has a common melody and a returning chorus, but the lyric itself is fluid. This folk tune is used to tell epic tales, usually about historic people, lore, and/or geography, even yakuza. It can also be used to talk about current events, and expert singers are able to improvise lyrics on the spot, as well as sing words directly from a newspaper. There is varying instrumentation for Kawachi Ondo, though the staples are always a taiko drum and the shamisen. Sometimes modern day instruments are used in the Kawachi Ondo ensemble, such as electric guitars and electric bases.

ingers

It is considered an art to be able to put lyric to Kawachi Ondo. It takes years of observation and study to become a singer. Expert singers, known as "ondotori", become reknown in the area, or in parts of Japan where Kawachi Ondo is famous. Connoisseurs of Kawachi Ondo keep watch of where their favorite singers will sing next, and often travel to hear them. There is a festival called "Kawachi Ondo Matsuri in Yao City, the birthplace of Kawachi Ondo. The festival celebrates the song, and a massive Bon Odori is held where many famous singers go and perform. The most famous singer of Kawachi Ondo is Kawachiya Kikusuimaru of Yao City.

Goshu Ondo

Kawachi Ondo is closely tied to Goshu Ondo, as it is said Kawachi Ondo evolved from it. The kakegoe "ha iya korase dokoise" is found in both songs and is well known to Japanese citizens of Osaka. As in Kawachi Ondo, the lyrics in Goshu Ondo are also fluid, and it takes expertise to become a profecient singer. Singers of Kawachi Ondo are often also singers of Goshu Ondo as well. In some parts of Osaka, both songs are sung alternatively at bon dances.

Kakegoe

Kawachi Ondo has two kakegoe, and they are sung at different times. They are:

"Ha iya korase, dokkoise!"

and

"Sorya yoi, dokoi sa, sa no yoiya sansa!"

External links

* [http://www.city.yao.osaka.jp/cgi-bin/odb-get.exe?WIT_template=AM040000 Yao City]

* [http://www.city.yao.osaka.jp/cgi-bin/odb-get.exe?WIT_template=AC020000&WIT_oid=icityv2::Contents::11456 Kawachi Ondo Matsuri]