盆踊(ぼんおど)り

Timing

盆踊(ぼんおど)り is performed during お盆(ぼん) (Obon), typically in mid-August (or mid-July in some regions).

Register

Dancers form a circle around a raised platform (櫓(やぐら)) and perform synchronized movements to traditional folk songs. Each region has its own distinctive dance style.

Famous dances

• 阿波踊(あわおど)り (Tokushima)
• 郡上踊(ぐじょうおど)り (Gifu)
• 西馬音内盆踊(にしもないぼんおど)り (Akita)

Common collocations

• 盆踊(ぼんおど)りを踊(おど)る: to dance the Bon dance
• 盆踊(ぼんおど)り大会(たいかい): Bon dance festival
• 盆踊(ぼんおど)りの曲(きょく): Bon dance music