“Soran Bushi” Katano City Children’s ChoirKatano City Children’s Choir

“Soran Bushi” Katano City Children’s Choir

This is the Soran Bushi performed by the members of the Katano City Children’s Choir at Hoshi no Sato Iwafune in Osaka on April 10, 2016.

It’s amazing that the choir also used Japanese taiko drums and danced.

There was no dancing during the parts where they created a beautiful harmony, but you can tell they practiced very hard.

Hanagasa Ondo, Ringo Bushi, and Soran Bushi (Tsugaru shamisen performer: Daisuke Sugiyama)Daisuke Sugiyama

Hanagasa Ondo, Ringo Bushi, and Soran Bushi (Tsugaru shamisen performer: Daisuke Sugiyama)

This is a performance of Hanagasa Ondo, Ringo Bushi, and Soran Bushi by Tsugaru-shamisen player Daisuke Sugiyama.

Born in Aichi Prefecture, Daisuke Sugiyama won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 8th National Tsugaru Shamisen Competition in Kobe in 2011.

Aiming to showcase the excellence of Japan’s traditional performing arts, he performs on stages across the country.

[Yoshi Ikuzo] IKZO × Soran BushiIKZO (Yoshi Ikuzo), et al.

[Yoshi Ikuzo] IKZO × Soran Bushi

Just from looking at the title, you might think it’s Yoshikazu Mera singing Soran Bushi, but this video is actually a remix on Nico Nico Douga of Yoshikazu Mera’s “Ora Tōkyō sa Iguda” and “Soran Bushi,” and it’s put together in a very entertaining way.

Soran Bushi JAZZ / Ayaka KinoshitaAyaka Kinoshita

Ayaka Kinoshita_Yoyogi Park SPORTS of HEART 2016.10.15

This is a rendition of the Soran Bushi sung by Ayaka Kinoshita.

It features instruments typical of Japanese folk music, such as the shamisen, koto, shakuhachi, taiko, and fue, but when you listen to the English opening, it transforms into something completely different, which I find cleverly done.

Once it switches to Japanese, the jazz elements disappear, so it might have been even better if we could have enjoyed the jazz vibe all the way through.

[Raiden] Soran Bushi, "Raiden" Soran-bushi (Japan Market) 2016thunder and lightning

[Raiden] Soran Bushi, "Raiden" Soran-bushi (Japan Market) 2016

This is the Soran-bushi performed by the foreign team “Raiden,” who are fans of the dance.

It makes us happy that a traditional Japanese folk song passed down for generations is being discovered and enjoyed by people from abroad.

Their matching “Raiden” tank tops are great, too.

Kiyoshi's Soran Bushi / Kiyoshi Hikawa (2007 Kohaku)Kiyoshi Hikawa

Kiyoshi's Soran Bushi - Kiyoshi Hikawa by Lonnie 20150905

This is the YOSAKOI Soran Bushi performed by enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa at the 2007 Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

As expected of a professional enka singer, the power in his voice as he sings Soran Bushi is on a different level.

I was impressed to find it so cool even if you close your eyes, skip the dancing, and listen to just the singing.

JSA at ASU Soran Bushi Performance at ASU (Arizona State University)JSA

JSA at ASU Soran Bushi Performance at ASU (Arizona State University)

This is footage from the Fall Festival held at Arizona State University.

Members of the Japanese Student Association at ASU are performing the Hokkaido folk song Soran Bushi.

It’s wonderful that they have the opportunity to present it overseas.

Watching it, I can’t help but feel happy hearing the audience’s applause.