[Legendary Choreographer Forms New Team] Kudou | Kochi Yosakoi Festival | 2024

[Team Introduction]
"Kudou" is a new Yosakoi team that was established in 2024 by Rie Kudou, the head of Jazz Dance Studio SOUL N.Y. Kudou is an experienced choreographer who has created choreography for numerous Yosakoi teams, winning many awards. This is the first time she has formed a team under her own name, and it operates out of Kochi City, consisting of 140 dancers gathered from both within and outside the prefecture.
For the 2024 Yosakoi Festival, the team performed under the theme "Hana no Ran" (Rebellion of Flowers), portraying the image of women blooming like flowers and eventually scattering. The performance was characterized by its strong narrative and featured a Japanese-style ballad composed by Morinaofumi from the band *Furachinarizumu*. The performance was visually enhanced with the use of red naruko clappers, lanterns, and umbrellas, emphasizing the elegance of the display.
In its first year, Kudou received high praise for its innovative performance, winning the District Competition Association Encouragement Award. Kudou’s extensive career and her unique sense of "elegance" and "sensuality" were fully showcased, making this team one of the most notable new groups at the 2024 Yosakoi Festival.
[Yosakoi Festival]
The Yosakoi Festival is a vibrant event held annually in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, from August 9 to 12. It began in 1954 with the aim of revitalizing the local economy and lifting the spirits of the citizens.
During the festival, approximately 190 teams and 20,000 dancers participate, energetically dancing with wooden clappers called *naruko*. Each team competes with unique costumes, music, and choreography, performing at 17 competition and performance venues throughout Kochi City. The festival includes a pre-festival event on August 9, followed by a national competition and post-festival event on August 12, enveloping the entire city in a festive atmosphere.
Due to its popularity, the Yosakoi Festival has spread nationwide, with events like the "YOSAKOI Soran Festival" taking place in many regions. Furthermore, Yosakoi is performed overseas in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, France, South Korea, and Taiwan, where it merges Japanese traditional culture with local influences to create unique Yosakoi styles.
The Yosakoi Festival plays an important role in regional revitalization and international exchange.
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[@pumi931]

美しいです❤