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Logo designed by Keiji Matsumoto

I was able to interview Yosakoi Ambassador Emiko Tanaka regarding the meaning behind our team's name and theme. Here are her responses below:

In 2018, our theme was ‘KIZUNA’ (bonds). It dramatically expressed the bonds we built through connecting dancers from around the world through Yosakoi.

For 2019, the theme will be ‘WA!’ We are connecting the people of the world through Yosakoi, a part of Japanese (和 read as 'wa') traditional culture, creating a giant ring (輪 'wa') that connects us and overcomes cultural and language barriers, and putting forth a spectacular performance that will delightfully surprise (ワッ 'wa') our audience.

I think it's a great theme! Plus, I personally love it when the same sound has multiple meanings like that :D

What's next?

Right now some of our industrious members are brainstorming for costume design. We're also working with a professional music group to come up with our song. I'm excited to see what they'll come up with! Then of course there will be the choreography that we'll learn in the months leading up to the Kochi Yosakoi Festival.

Thanks to our campaign contributors such as you, all of these pieces are coming together! I can't wait until the day of the festival!

// Daniel