YOSAKOI LONDON TEMUZU
Amateur Japanese Dance Group
Official Yosakoi Ambassador
We are an amateur Yosakoi dance group based in London. We are a community group and welcome people of all ages and nationalities.
Yosakoi is a highly energetic Japanese dance style – a modern take on the traditional summer dance of Awa Odori. It started in Kōchi in 1954 and since then it has become very popular throughout Japan.
In 2019, Yosakoi London Temuzu were awarded the Official Yosakoi Ambassador title by Kochi prefecture (the birth place of Yosakoi). This title is given to teams from around the world to help promote the art of Yosakoi.
Who are we?
London's only Yosakoi dance group
Yosakoi London was founded and established in 2016 by a group of individuals who have lived in Japan and danced with local Yosakoi teams during their stay. Between them they have performed at various festivals including the Yosakoi Festival in Kōchi, Shikoku and Yosakoi Soran Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
After returning home they wanted to continue dancing and introduce Yosakoi to the UK, and thus Yosakoi London was born. The group has steadily attracted more members and has performed as the team “Temuzu” at various Japan-related cultural events around the country and in Europe.
What is Yosakoi?
From the land of the rising sun
Yosakoi is a Japanese dance style which combines elements of traditional Japanese dance and music with a large variety of modern influences, and is performed at a number of festivals throughout Japan.
Yosakoi incorporates traditional Japanese folk music (Min’yō), and dance (such as Nihon Buyō and Bon Odori) as well as jazz, rock, hip hop, samba and many other music and dance styles. If you have never seen Yosakoi before, you can expect an energetic dance with a traditional Japanese influence.
Get Involved!
An amateur dance group open to all the community!
We're always looking for new members. Beginners are most welcome and you do not need a background in dance or prior interest in Japanese culture. Many of our members had not danced before trying Yosakoi! Join us at any of our weekly practice sessions for a taster. Get in touch below for more information about our upcoming sessions.