(Lesson Length: 27:25) Today, Ten Ten teaches one of the most popular Japanese Minyo (folk songs), Hanagasa Ondo. This catchy minyo piece features a bouncy melody and lively kakegoe (chant) section. Almost all shamisen players know Hanagasa Ondo, so you should too!

Hanagasa Ondo is a folk song from Yamagata Prefecture. The name literally means “flower straw-hat song”. The song is usually accompanied by a group of dancers with flower hats at the festival called “Hanagasa Matsuri”. The dance is characterized by the lively motion of spinning the colourful decorated hats. This summer festival is one of the four largest events to take place each year in Japan.