Japanese ondō: a seasonal tradition everyone can enjoy.

Kaizuka San’ya Ondo

Kaizuka San'ya Ondo

This dance song, passed down in the Senshu region since ancient times, is a traditional performing art that truly embodies the spirit of the community.

Its origins are said to date back to 1583, when people danced for three days and nights to celebrate the birth of a new stronghold.

With short verses and lively chants layered one upon another, this work lifts the listener’s heart.

Don’t you feel that each sung phrase carries the joy of our forebears and their hopes for the future? Designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city in February 1998, it has been carefully preserved as a regional treasure to this day.

Just imagining people dancing in a circle while the drums resound with the distinctive chong-gake rhythm is enough to make one’s heart swell.

Kaikake Ondo

Reiwa 5 Kaikake Summer Evening Festival Kaikake Ondo

This is a Bon Odori chant that has been lovingly passed down in the Kaigake area of the Senshu region in Osaka.

Although it once died out after the war, it was brilliantly revived in 1990 through the efforts of local volunteers.

The 7-7-7-5 meter, punctuated by long interludes of flute and drum, seems to synchronize with the circle of dancers and their breathing.

Don’t you feel that the warm resonance of the music carries the spirit of those determined to preserve their hometown’s traditions? In March 2008, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hannan City.

During the Kaigake Summer Evening Festival, you can still see local residents dancing together in a circle.

Sano’s seduction

Sano Kudoki (Bon Odori of Izumisano City)

A richly narrative bon-odori song handed down since the Edo period in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture.

Its lilting 7-5 rhythm, delivered in a conversational style over shamisen and drum beats, resonates deeply.

It’s the kind of piece that makes you feel as if you’re watching a grand historical scroll unfold.

Highly regarded for its cultural value, it has been recognized as a component cultural property of Japan Heritage.

Why not give it a listen when you want to reflect on Osaka’s history and the lives of its people?

Kashii-san and dance

Reiwa 6 (2024) Kashii-san-ya Dance

This is a passionate bon-odori song that has been lovingly passed down in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture.

To the powerful rhythm of drums resounding from atop the yagura, dancers repeat short phrases and dance through the night.

It is said to have originally been performed to lift the spirits of soldiers wounded in the Battle of Kashii during the Summer Siege of Osaka.

You can feel in the music the festival’s fervor that connects generations and a deep love for one’s hometown.

It is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Izumisano City.

Nuclear Power Plant Ondo (festival song)THE TIMERS

Nuclear Power Ondo - The Timers

Here is “Nuclear Power Plant Ondo” from the collection of festival-chant songs by The Timers, a masked underground blues-rock band led by singer Kiyoshiro Imawano.

While the tune is very bright and cheerful, the lyrics deliver a scathing critique of the nuclear power-based social system.

Smile Ondoyuzu

Yuzu - Smile Ondo

Smile Ondo by the popular duo Yuzu.

This track is included on their fourth mini-album, Yuzu Smile.

The album is comprised of songs aimed at children.

It features bright, easy-to-sing lyrics, and because it was a limited-time release, it is now out of print.

Tokyo is the 7 o’clock at night Ondopichikaatofaibu

“Stylish Bon Odori vol. 2” produced by KEITA MARUYAMA “Tokyo at 7 p.m. Ondo ~ Bon Odori Version”

This song was born from the rather simplistic idea of turning “Tokyo wa Yoru no Shichiji” into a stylish bon-odori tune for some reason.

Of course, the lyrics aren’t like “Ha~ yoisho” or anything—they’re normal lyrics—so it has more of a groovy feel and not much of that traditional ondō vibe.

It’s the kind of track that makes you want to dance in a modest, slightly modern way.