Wild Kawachi Ondo Chase in Kinshicho
text：Hajime Oishi
Kinshi-cho in Sumida Tokyo is one of busiest downtown area. There used to be a Koto Theater, known by enthusiastic performances of Hibari Misora. And Keiko Fuji sung at bars in town, before signing with records company. Since 1982 the area has started hosting Bon odori festival of Kawachi Ondo, a local ondo from Osaka, which now becomes one of the largest in Tokyo.
Kinshi-cho updated, now finds Tower Records back in town after 13 months silence. The shop shares merchandising ideas with the town known as the sanctuary of the traditional arts in East Tokyo area. Among those, I would like to introduce the special section, collaborated with Kinshicho Kawachi Ondo Bon Odori.
Proudly announced as ”the best collection of Kawachi Ondo in records shop in Japan“ , the section shows off many sources of Kawachi Ondo, selected by the parties of Kinshicho Kawachi Ondo. The famous classics, “Kawachi Ondo Mitsunekai All Stars Tokyo Live: Complete Edition”, popular items such by Ichiwaka Satsukiya, Ippei Yamanaka, and “The World's Strongest Kawachi Songs: Continued, Followed by Kawachimond” as good introduction to the world of Kawachi Ondo, are fully collected. You can find even rare items burn on CD-R among these. As you can really imagine, this is the awesome collection. Ondo fan can not miss this. Along with CDs, T shirts specially collaborated with and designed by the illustrator, Nyantoko who is the designers of the festival flyer, are also available.
Kawachi Ondo is recognized as “Good to dance, good to sing” popular entertainment,. The band with not only shamisen and taiko, but also electric guitars and bass drives its vibe really funky. And on the top of this music, narrative vocal, leading the vibe with the style influenced by Rokyoku, is improvised. Kinshicho Kawachi Ondo gathers many famous, genuine performers from Osaka, and they show off their ondo, But current Bon Odori revival successfully gets the attention from music fans to the festival , and they are coming the fes. Public relation has been working also very good. The festival is now coming to reach its peak. Tower Records Kinshicho is to support the festival. and the Kawachi Ondo section will be held by last week of August, till the Festival is over. If you commit in the Kawachi Ondo, you should visit the store.
translated by Kazuki Takami (intoxicate)
