Learn Bon Daiko – Aizu Bandaisan
If you want to learn Bon Daiko, Aizu Bandaisan is a great song. Aizu Bandaisan sings the praises of Mount Bandai, a mountain located in Fukushima Prefecture. The song is considered one of the “Big Three” Minyo folk songs, along with Gujo Odori and Awa Odori.
The modern day version of Aizu Bandaisan has multiple roots. These include the local folk song Genjo Bushi, and Gokahama Jinku from neighboring Niigata Prefecture.
The lyrics begin with the line “Mount Bandai is a mountain of treasure. Gold grows on the bamboo trees.” One theory is that the bamboo trees of Mount Bandai produced fruit during a famine, saving the local population from starvation. Another theory is that the lyrics refer more figuratively to the plentiful rice grown in the area.