Japanese Folk Dance in Physical Education : With a Special Focus on 'Nanchu Soran'

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore a change of perception through videotape observation and the experience of 'Nanchu Soran', and to explore into teaching materials agreeable to the learners' interests. The subjects of this research were 118 university students and 51 elementary school teachers. The results are as follows : 1. The subjects tend to have serious and dark perceptions of 'Japanese folk dance'. 2. Though 'Soran-bushi' and 'Hanagasa-ondo' belong to the same 'Japanese folk dance' category, the perceptions of each of them are different. 3. In the case of 'Soran-bushi', the different arrangement of music leads to different choreography and different perceptions. 4. Through videotape observation of 'Nanchu Soran', open and bright perceptions are increased. 5. Through the experience of 'Nanchu Soran', powerful perceptions are increased and difficult perceptions are decreased. Because of the changes of these perceptions, the value of teaching materials of 'Nanchu Soran' can be seen.