Nov 29, 2018 at 11:09 am
#11 - Introducing - Zen Yosakoi in Melbourne, Australia
Update posted by Kochi 2019Click here to return to our campaign overview and make a donation! 日本語でのご支援・ご協力はこちらのページをご覧下さい
We thought it was about time we introduced you to another one of the teams hoping to send their members to Kochi in 2019!
Introducing Zen Yosakoi, in Melbourne, Australia!
Zen was founded in 2015 by Japanese international students studying at a technical college in Melbourne. They wanted to share their passion for Japanese dance and culture with other local and international students. So, they decided to teach the well-loved Nanchuu Soran (南中ソーラン) dance from Hokkaido!
| 全力で ― 楽しめ！ 燃えるように ― 楽しめ！ 楽しませる前に ― 楽しめ！ |
With full power - let’s have fun! Like a burning flame - let’s have fun! Before we can entertain others - let’s have fun! |
Originally, Zen was only going to last for one performance, but after our first taste of performing together we decided to stay together and learn new dances. Our team members now include international, local and Japanese students; working holiday makers; young workers and job-hunters!
Over summer we sometimes practice in the great outdoors, in a park nearby the college, it’s a great way to get fresh air (and get used to dancing in public!).
We love collaborating! Last year we learnt an excerpt of Soran Bushi, which we sang with a local shamisen player. We always joke that if only our singing skills were better, we could form a yosakoi pop music outfit ‘The Zen Street Boys’… and here’s our album cover concept photo (joking… mostly…).
If you’re in Melbourne, feel free to drop us a line! We’re always looking for more members to keep the Zen flame burning.
We can’t wait to do our part to make this campaign a success, and join everyone in Kochi next year. Tanoshime! 楽しめ！