東日本大震災後の脱原発パレードにて、“原発はもういらない”ということをシュプレヒコールするより、踊ってアピールしようと、踊り念仏発祥の地である藤沢・遊行寺まで行列踊りする姿が一世を風靡。〈地域を緩やかに繋ぎながら、世代や考え方の違いもあっという間に超えていける盆踊り〉に魅了された有志数名により、2012年9月に鎌倉で結成される。飲食店オーナー、歌手、髪結い師、デザイナー、アーティスト、大工、主婦、カメラマン、看護師など、主に40代で構成された多種多様な職業を持つメンバーは今や約40名ほど。様々なイベントや祭りを立ち上げて築いてきた結束力と実行力、そして妄想力が最大の持ち味。古典の盆踊りに加え、民衆の作業唄のように生まれてきたオリジナル曲が独自の世界観を生み出し、盆踊りや民謡に興味がなかった人たちも次々と踊りだす。生唄・生バンドで「盆踊りで世界平和の輪を描く」ことを目指して、いまだ盆踊りに夢中！！！
IMAGINE BONODORIBU
Original Bon Odori Band
In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake that devastated the country in 2011, our troupe took the world by storm when it danced in a procession to Yugyo-ji Temple in Fujisawa City—the birthplace of the Odori Nembutsu folk dance—in an effort to rally for the end of nuclear power through dance rather than a typical protest march. In September 2012, several volunteers who were enthusiasts of the traditional Bon Odori summer folk dance formed a new troupe in the coastal city of Kamakura, with the hope of transcending differences between various generations and different ways of thinking in order to unite the community. Currently, there are around 40 members with diverse backgrounds, including restaurant owners, singers, hair stylists, designers, artists, carpenters, homemakers, photographers, nurses, and many more, most of them aged in their 40s. Perhaps their greatest strength lies in the imagination, dedication, and cohesion they have demonstrated numerous times in devising and organizing various festivals and other events. In addition to the traditional Bon dance, original songs of their own composition—which imitate features common of rice harvest and other traditional working songs—have proven an effective means of enticing those with little previous interest in the genre to join their processions and the cause at large. With a live band accompanied by live vocals, their aim is to “Draw a circle of world peace through Bon Dance” and continue to spread that passion to all who embrace the same values.