FOLK DANCES FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Japan's Latest Dance Craze December 4, 2001 Japan's love affair with dance never seems to end. At community centers throughout the country, dance classes are always full, whether for ballet or flamenco, which consistently appeal to young women, or ballroom dancing, which is especially popular among middle-aged and older people. Recently, the dance scene has been getting a colorful new infusion in the form of folk dances from around the world. Traditional Middle Eastern, African, and European dances, which until recently were virtually unknown in Japan, are sweeping culture centers and community groups throughout the country. Belly-dancing: Sensuous yet Strenuous One example is belly-dancing, characterized by bold thigh- and belly-baring costumes and sinuous body contortions. This sensuous form of dance, first practiced by women in northern Africa and the Middle East, was originally performed at celebratory occasions such as weddings. Japanese people have gained a passing familiarity with bellydancing through movies that depict it against a backdrop of some exotic locale. However, its popularity as a pastime began to spread about three years ago, when more young Japanese women began taking trips to Turkey and other countries to which belly-dancing is indigenous. Ever since then, the popularity of belly-dancing classes at community centers and workshops run by individuals has skyrocketed. Most participants are initially drawn in by the lavish clothing and sexy movements, but they soon learn another of belly-dancing's merits: It provides a strenuous workout. Fitness clubs are even starting to include belly-dancing in their programs of exercise classes. And a Turkish restaurant called Sofra, located in Tokyo's Shinjuku district, invites customers to get up and dance with professional belly dancers. A growing number of women are coming to the restaurant specifically to dance. Dance Events Nationwide   Your Name What did you think of this article? It was interesting. It was boring. Send this article to a friend Hip-hop music and dancing, long popular in the United States, caught on in Japan a few years ago, and some hip-hop aficionados are now starting to study African dances, which are characterized by vigorous whole-body movements performed to traditional drumbeats. All over the country, the growing interest in African dance has spawned not only classes at community centers, but also lectures by specialists, as well as events designed to introduce elementary-school students to dance. According to aficionados, the appeal of African dance lies in the free-flowing movements. Irish dances accompanied by accordion and fiddle music have also become popular in Japan. The craze started about two years ago, when the Irish music and dance show Riverdance came to Japan. Some people are also donning tartan kilts and getting into Scottish dance, which many of them are drawn to by way of a general interest in Scottish culture. Of course, the number of people getting into "ethnic" dances is still small compared with the ranks of those involved in jazz dance and ballet--dance forms that have been popular in Japan for decades. But with more and more Japanese heading abroad to learn dances in their countries of origin and teaching them when they come back to Japan, ethnic dance undoubtedly has a steadily growing base of enthusiasts. Copyright (c) 2001 Japan Information Network. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.