Sōran Bushi

Sōran Bushi (ソーラン節) is one of the most famous traditional songs and dance (min'yō) in Japan.

The commonly known version of the song and dance is called Nanchū Sōran (南中ソーラン) and was created in 1991 at the Wakkanai Minami Junior High School.

The choreography was developed by the Butoh dancer Jushō Kasuga, which includes acting ocean waves, fishermen dragging nets, pulling ropes and lifting luggage over their shoulders.

The school received an honorable mention at the Folk Song and Dance Awards National Convention in 1992, and one year later the Grand Prix of the Prime Minister of Japan.

Yāren sōran... Oyaji tairyō da mukashi to chigau toreta nishin wa ore no mono choi Yāren sōran... Ichi-jō-go-shaku no ro o kogu fune mo horeta ano go nya te mo choi Yāren sōran... Tama no suhada ga shibuki ni nurerya uwaki kamome ga mite sawagu choi

When we hear the jabbering of seagulls on the high seas, we know we can’t give up our fishing lives on the ocean.

Soran... A flighty seagull twitters in excitement As it sees my bare skin, glistening with ocean surf.