Glossary

Naruko - Wooden clappers essential for dancing yosakoi

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Odoriko - lit. dancing child - yosakoi dancer

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Kakegoe - the shouts during the dance

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Kamae - stand ready! The command for taking in the pose for the start of the dance

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Kankaku - taking a kankaku (kankaku wo toru) is spreading your arms and measuring a distance so you stand far enough away from your neighbors as to not hit anyone or get hit with naruko

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Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu - said before the start of performance as a way to say to the public that we'll be in their care

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Arigatou Gozaimashita - thank you! Words of gratitude said at the end of a performance

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Souodori - a type of yosakoi dance created by a festival organizers or a team, made available for everyone to dance (albeit with various limitations depending on the dance)

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Happi - a typical piece of clothing when dancing yosakoi or just for participating at festivals

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Tabi - a type of shoes with separated toe. Classically used by yosakoi dancers