Sally S. Spencer
Bon Odori: Coal Miner’s Dance from
Teach third graders about Japanese culture through:
* Folk music by listening to Tankó Bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)
*
Art by making round fans from
cardboard circles and paper. Either in
art class or a music class that will precede the following plans, the children
will make and decorate with Japanese designs their own uchiwa
(non-folding fan). They will be shown
Japanese pictures of
* Dance by learning the steps to Bon Odori and performing it to Tanko Bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)
Third graders have 30-minute music classes two times weekly. The music room is very large. We do not have special needs children except for minor learning disabilities. As the dance uses both hands and feet, students confined to wheelchairs could participate using the hand motions.
This unit is planned for two half-hour music classes. If the making of fans does not fit into the art curriculum at this time, we will add another half-hour class at the beginning of the unit to make them. When we make the fans, we will listen to recordings of Japanese folk music.
Children should learn about other world cultures as part of a well-rounded education. This unit integrates music with art and social studies.
Students will learn the Japanese honor their ancestors, are very polite, like to dance and have festivals to celebrate that which is important to them (e.g. ancestors) and use music in their celebrations. They will also know how to perform a Japanese folk dance.
Using MENC statndards for grades K – 12, this unit incorporates
#2 – performing on a drum set on ostinato accompaniment
#6 – listening to and describing music
#8 – understanding relationships between music and the other arts
#9 – understanding music in relation to history and culture
Assessment: 90% of the class will be able to
- Perform Bon Odori together with the class and the “Coal Miner’s Song” music.
- Find
- Tell that the Japanese have respect for their ancestors and believe in an afterlife as we do.
FIRST CLASS
I.
Introduce
A.
Show where
B.
Show a map of
C. There are many people, not much land. It is very crowded, especially in the cities.
D. The people are very polite (much bowing, teach them how to say “arigato” (thank you).
E. Japanese have great respect for their elders and ancestors.
F. Country has many festivals throughout the year.
II. O – Bon
A. Festival of the Dead
B. Mid-July or August
C. Honors Ancestors
D. People make offerings of food to ancestors and
E. Pray for their happiness in the next world.
F. Celebrated for over 1400 years.
G. Highlight of the festival is the singing and dancing of “Tanko Bushi” (“Coal Miner’s Song”)
H. Listen to recording of “Tanko Bushi.”
III. Learn to Dance “Tanko Bushi” without the music
A. Form a circle with your left side in the circle and right side our, holding fan.
B. The dance
1. Step forward on your right foot, pointing your right foot into the ground; use your hands to make a shoveling motion to the right; repeat.
2. Repeat to the left.
3. Step forward on your right foot and pretend to throw a shovel load of coal over your right shoulder.
4. Repeat to the left.
5. Step back on your left foot; raise your right hand in front of your face and lower your left hand down beside your left leg.
6. Repeat to the right.
7. Step forward on your right foot and use your hands to push forward (as if pushing a coal hopper).
8. Repeat to the left.
9. Step forward on your right foot and cross your arms over each other in front of your body in a scissors motions.
10. Clap three times (fast-fast, slow).
11. Repeat entire sequence.
END OF FIRST
CLASS
SECOND CLASS
I. Get into a circle and review/practice the steps of “Tanko Bushi.”
II. Sit down where you are in the circle and listen to the recording of “Tanko Bushi.”
III. Form a standing circle, left side into the circle.
IV. Add music and dance “Tanko Bushi.”
V.
Add the drum to the dance. (Since I have no taiko,
we will use either the
END OF SECOND
CLASS
References
East Asian Music Workshop notes for dance directions.
MENC music content standards for grades K – 12
National Geographic magazine for the maps and pictures (for the fans)
Vol. 142, no. 3, September 1972
Vol. 149, no. 6, June 1976
Vol. 165, no. 6, June 1984
Vol. 180, no. 5, November 1991
“Songs and Sounds of the Orient.” A custom recording by Japan Airlines. 1966.