The Awa Odori dance, which originated in the 1580s in Japan, is a celebratory event that puts people in a liberating mood and it spread explosively throughout the country at a time when there was no means of communication. Learning about the origins of the dance, I was reminded of how fundamental and necessary it is in our daily lives. The lyrics of the song "Ouka" truly express the dances that are a part of people's lives from the past to the present. The groove produced by the gongs has a Japanese as well as African feel to it, and while the song is Japanese, it has become universal and can be appreciated all over the world. Text : YUIMA ENYA Cover art : USUGROW