Learn Bon Daiko – Aizu Bandaisan
Learn Bon Daiko – Aizu Bandaisan
Aizu Bandaisan is one of six songs in the Obon Classics Online Course, which adds a dance tutorial, full demonstrations, and practice tracks.
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.
Aizu Bandaisan Lyrics
Mount Bandai is a mountain of treasure
Gold grows on the bamboo trees
From the mountain of the east
Comes the daily news
I cannot possibly avoid going
Why did Shosuke Ohara damage his health?
He loved to sleep, drink, and bathe in the morning
Of course he did, he deserves it
The loyal cherry blossoms
Fall to the name of Byakko Tai
The singing makes the dance stronger
The taiko on top of the yagura also becomes stronger
Obon Classics Online Course
Learn Aizu Bandaisan and five more classic Bon Odori songs, step by step, with taiko and dance tutorials, full demonstrations, and practice tracks.
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