Soran Bushi: The heart of Japan passed down through song

“Nanchu Soran” at the Wakkanai Minami Junior High School Cultural Activities PresentationWakkanai Minami Junior High School

“Nanchu Soran” at the Wakkanai Minami Junior High School Cultural Activities Presentation

This is footage from the Wakkanai Minami Junior High School Cultural Activities Presentation, showing their performance of the local folk art piece “Nanchū Sōran.” They dance not only on stage but also in the orchestra pit, making it powerful and impressive.

As expected of Hokkaido—being local, they clearly have a special attachment to it.

Aoi and Kaede 174: Soran BushiAoi and Kaede

Aoi and Kaede 174: Soran Bushi

This is a video of the Soran Bushi performed by Aoi and Kaede.

Aoi and Kaede are a shamisen sister duo from Katsushika Ward, Tokyo.

Both the older sister, Aoi, and the younger sister, Kaede, name Hibari Misora as the singer they admire, and you can feel that their voices as they sing the Soran Bushi are delivered in a natural, unadorned way.

Soran Bushi Handbell PerformanceKanto Gakuin Handbell Choir

Soran-bushi Handbell Performance

This is a video of the Kanto Gakuin Handbell Choir performing Kazuko Okamoto’s arrangement of Soran Bushi at the Aizuwakamatsu City Cultural Center on August 3, 2013.

In this rendition, the rugged masculinity of heading out to sea fades away, and the gentle tones of the handbells create a dreamlike version of Soran Bushi.

20160306 Ash YOSAKOI Seoul Soran BushiAsh YOSAKOI Soul

This is a video of the Soran Bushi performed by members of Nagasaki University’s Yosakoi team, “ASH YOSAKOI Soul.” The hall is small, but their dance is expansive, using their whole bodies with powerful expression.

Among the men, petite women also deliver a sharp and crisp Soran Bushi.

Soran Bushi by TAKIOSt. Maria Academy Music Club “SCORE”

This is a video of the St.

Maria Academy Music Club “SCORE” 8th Regular Concert, held on August 18, 2012 at Togitsu Canary Hall.

They perform the Hokkaido folk song Soran Bushi.

Accompanied by taiko drums and piano, the children energetically fill the hall with harmonious singing.

Though the group is small, their voices carry very well.

WSL-07-031 YOSAKOI Soran Bushi (Wind Band Selection)WindsScore

WSL-07-031 YOSAKOI Soran Bushi (Wind Band Selection)

YOSAKOI Soran is a festival held in Sapporo, Hokkaido in June.

Inspired by the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi Prefecture and prompted by a call from a university student in Hokkaido who saw it, over a hundred students took the lead in creating a mix of the Yosakoi Festival and the Soran Bushi.

This video features a performance by a wind ensemble.

Soran Bushi … Performance: The 2nd-Generation Blue Jeans / Vocals: Pinky and the KillersSecond-generation Blue Jeans, Pinky and the Killers

Soran Bushi ... Performance: The 2nd-Generation Blue Jeans / Vocals: Pinky and the Killers

This is the Soran Bushi performed when Pinky & the Killers appeared in a film.

The music is by Niki Blue Jeans, and the singing is by Pinky & the Killers.

Unlike the original folk song Soran Bushi, the electric guitar sound and driving rhythm are really cool.