Festival Report フェスティバル レポート 2017

The Street Artists of Gofuku-cho Street

The Shizuoka Daidogei Street Performance Festival is of course famous for its big thrills acrobatic acts, drawing big crowds to Sunpu and Aoba Parks. But if you prefer a slower pace, or are bringing small children to the festival, then the closer interaction of the street performers on Gofuku-cho Street are highly recommended.

Gofuku-cho street is the entrance to Shizuoka City, and during the Daidogei festival the atmosphere is extra lively with stalls, clowns, walking acts and street performers giving you a warm welcome.
You can find mysterious statues that will suddenly spring to life.
There are street magicians, performing their magic under the watchful eye of a very close audience- even then you won't be able to find out their secrets! Stilt walkers, tower above the pedestrians, yet stop to interact with small children.
Street artists, performing a wide range of juggling, acrobatics, pantomime and comedy acts enjoy a close rapport with the spectators.
And of course the clowns bring a smile to everyone's face.
Welcome to Shizuoka's Daidogei Street Performance Festival!!

(Lisa)

"Hand Clapping" opened the 26th DAIDOGEI world cup in Shizuoka 2017 / Preview Show

54 artists (all participants except fringe department artists) gathered in Shizuoka City Culture Hall.
Over 1600 audience enjoyed dazzling performances and increased their expectations for the extraordinarily 4 days.

In the main event, artists have 20 minutes to show their performance,
but in this preview show, they only have 60 seconds.
So, some artists prepare special performance only for the preview show.
That's why eager fans cannot miss the preview show.

Some artists break the language barrier and some capitalize on Japanese latest comedians' fame,
for example, Blouson Chiemi, nyankostar, etc.
Both provide us with big laughing. Don't miss them!


Every year, the preview show ends with Japanese ceremonial rhythmic hand clapping "Gohon-jime".

Place with your shoulder feet-width apart (not place with your feet shoulder-feet apart),
with first finger,
"clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap"
with first finger and long finger,
"clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap"
with first finger, long finger and annular finger,
"clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap"
with first finger, long finger, annular finger and little finger,
"clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap"
open your hands,
"clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap"

And the final stage ends with "Gohon-jime", too.
Please remember the "Gohon-jime" and clap hands together at the final stage!

(yyukke)