KOCHI -- The 72nd edition of Kochi Prefecture's largest summer event, the Yosakoi Festival, began in this western Japan city on Aug. 10, with around 18,000 dancers from 188 teams based within the prefecture and elsewhere participating.

This is an increase of four teams and about 1,000 dancers compared to last year. The main event takes place over two days, ending on Aug. 11. Participants dressed in vibrant costumes dance energetically while holding "naruko" clappers at 16 designated performance venues across the city.

The festival was launched in 1954, led by volunteers including members of the Kochi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aiming to cheer up citizens and dispel the economic gloom due to the postwar recession. With hopes that it will grow into a long-lasting event like the traditional Awa Odori dance festival in neighboring Tokushima Prefecture, the Yosakoi Festival has grown into a major event from a modest beginning with just 750 dancers. Now, as the origin of Yosakoi-related events that have spread nationwide, the festival attracts many tourists from both Japan and overseas.

Participants are free to choose their own costumes and music. The only requirements are that they carry "naruko" clappers and that the phrase "Yosakoi naruko odori" appears somewhere in their music.

Performers began to dance at each venue from 11 a.m. on Aug. 10. Dancers in colorful outfits appeared with bright smiles, led by "jikatasha" parade trucks blasting music, drawing cheers from the spectators. Despite the unfortunate rainy weather, a local resident watching at a venue located in a shopping street applauded the dancers. She said, "Summer in Kochi Prefecture wouldn't be the same without Yosakoi. I hope the festival continues forever."

A national Yosakoi competition will be held on Aug. 12.

(Japanese original by Satoshi Kobayashi, Kochi Bureau)