The song is called simply “Ohara Bushi” by the locals but “Kagoshima” is added to differentiate it from other Owara songs such as “Etchu Owara Bushi” and “Tsugaru Ohara Bushi.” The origin of the song is “Yassa Bushi,” which was sung by samurais in Yasuhisa on the front lines during battles. In the Taisho Era (1912-26), a Geisha named Ippachi made this song
popular throughout the local Geisha community. Another Geisha, Kiyomi, recorded it around 1933 and it became quite popular all over Japan. At that time, a dance was choreographed for Geisha performance. The origin of the dance is unknown, but we do know it changed from an energetic, morale-boosting, battlefront song to a labor song sung during soil compacting to lay the foundation for buildings. The dance movements, opening hands from partially clenched fist, as well as the subtle kick steps, are mimicking the pulling and releasing of the rope to compact soil, and removing dirt from clothing. As a part of the preservation, this particular version is certified as the city’s official dance by Kagoshima City’s Department of Tourism and folklore division.
Presented by Iwao Tamaoki in 2012. View pdf here.
