Artist Misako Uno has been appointed as the official supporter of the 71st Yosakoi Festival in Kochi, Tosa, which will be held from August 9th (Fri) to August 12th (Mon) 2024.
The role of official supporter is to fully support the promotion of the tropical Tosa Kochi Yosakoi Festival in order to spread the Yosakoi Festival, which originated in Kochi Prefecture, and the charms of Kochi Prefecture throughout the country, and this is the first time that an official supporter has been appointed.
The Yosakoi Festival has been held in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture since 1954. It is held every year for four days, on August 9th (the eve of the festival), the 10th and 11th (the second day of the festival), and the 12th (the post-festival and national tournament). It has been decided that the festival will be held on the same dates this year, and Misako Uno has been appointed as an official supporter to spread the appeal of the Yosakoi Festival nationwide. Uno said, “I am honored to be entrusted with such an important role. As it is a representative festival of Japan with a long history, I will do my best to convey as much of its charm as possible as an official supporter! I am really looking forward to it, and I am getting excited at home by playing the DVD I received in advance (laughs).”
It has also been decided that Uno himself will attend the Yosakoi Festival on the main days of August 10th and 11th, 2024, and will help liven up the festival as an official supporter.
When asked who she would like to give a medal to, in reference to the culture of wearing “medals” at the Yosakoi Festival, Uno commented, “I would like to give a medal to my older sister, who is the mother of my three young nieces. I see my sister shining brightly as she juggles all of the hectic daily tasks of making lunches, picking them up, doing housework, and keeping her children healthy and smiling. I think she inherited it from our mother, and it really makes me realize that no matter what happens, my mother is strong. I would like to give the Respect Medal to that sister!!”
Also, in reference to the unique and colorful costumes at the Yosakoi Festival, when asked what costume she would like to wear, she commented, “Everyone’s costumes are so attractive, it’s hard to decide. If it were me, I’d like to go all black with just a red lipstick as an accent color for a cool look. Maybe add some lace or glitter to the material to make it more colorful? Just thinking about it gets me excited,” and expressed her expectations for the day, saying, “I can’t wait to see the costumes that are full of everyone’s attention to detail!!”
■ Spread the Yosakoi Festival nationwide with “#UnoTabi”
On her Instagram, she introduces many local foods and tourist spots under the hashtag “Uno Trip.” Many of her Instagram posts show her enjoying local cuisine, and fans have praised her, saying things like, “It looks like fun again!” and “Everything Uno-chan is eating looks so delicious (lol).”
With an eye on “#UnoTabi,” it was decided to appoint them as official supporters in order to spread the appeal of the Yosakoi Festival across the country.
When asked about the charms of Kochi in relation to Uno’s journey, Uno said, “I’ve been to Kochi prefecture before on a live tour, and I’ll never forget how surprisingly delicious the seared bonito was. The bonito was bigger and plumper than anything I’ve seen in Tokyo! I also always stock Kochi ponzu sauce in my fridge. It’s a must when making hot pot!” He talked about the charms of the local gourmet food, saying, “I’ve been trying out delicious food on social media under the hashtag “UnoMogu,” so I’m excited to share the latest gourmet food of Kochi there as well.” He showed his excitement for the day.
■ Interview with Misako Uno
1. How do you feel about being appointed as an official supporter?
I am honoured to have been entrusted with such an important role.
As it is a historic and representative Japanese festival, we will do our best to convey as much of its charm as possible as an official supporter!
I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m getting excited at home while watching the DVD I received in advance (laughs).
②Mr. Uno, you are someone who travels around Japan to convey the charms of different parts of the country, so what is the charm of Kochi that you would like to convey to everyone?
I’ve been to Kochi Prefecture on a live tour, and I’ve heard that the bonito tataki is delicious, but it was so amazingly delicious that I’ll never forget it. The bonito meat was bigger and plumper than anything I’ve ever seen in Tokyo! I also always stock Kochi ponzu sauce in my fridge. It’s a must-have when making hotpot! I love to eat, and I travel around trying delicious things on social media under the hashtag “Unomogu,” so I’m excited to share the latest gourmet food from Kochi there as well.
③One of the attractions of the Yosakoi Festival is the unique costumes, but what kind of costume would you like to wear if you were to participate?
Seriously, everyone is so charming in their costumes that it’s hard to choose.
If it were me, I would like to wear all black with just a red lip color to create a cool look. Maybe add some glamour to the material with lace or glitter? Just thinking about it makes me excited. I can’t wait to see the costumes that are filled with everyone’s personal preferences!!
4. One of the features of the Yosakoi Festival is that participants are given medals. If you were to give a medal to someone, who would you give it to and what kind of medal would you give it to?
I would like to give a medal to my older sister, who is the mother of three young nieces. I see my sister shining brightly as she juggles lunches, picks up the children, does housework, and does all the other minute-by-minute tasks of a hectic daily life, while protecting her children’s health and smiles. I think she inherited it from watching our mother, and I really feel that my mother is strong no matter what happens. I would like to give that sister a Respect Medal!!
■ Profile of Misako Uno
MISAKO UNO
Misako Uno
Birth Date: 1986/7/16
Birth Place: Tokyo
Height: 160cm
Blood Type: O
■ Overview of the 71st Yosakoi Festival
[Event Period]
● Eve of the festival: Friday, August 9, 2024 11:00~21:00 (scheduled)
● Performance date: Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th, 2024, 11:00-21:30 (scheduled)
●After-party: Monday, August 12, 2024 (national holiday) 12:30-22:00 (scheduled)
【Venue】
● Eve of the festival/After the festival: Central Park (1-11 Obiyacho, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, 780-0841)
● Actual performance (planned)
Otesuji Main Competition Hall, Obiyacho Performance Hall, Central Park Competition Hall, Kamimachi Competition Hall, Masugata Regional Competition Hall,
Manman Competition Hall, Atago Competition Hall, Sainobara Competition Hall, Umeno-tsuji Competition Hall, Harimayabashi Competition Hall, Asahi Performance Hall,
Kyomachi Enbujo, Hata Enbujo, Kochi Castle Enbujo, Kochi Station Enbujo, Yanagimachi Enbujo (11th only)
Kochi University Dance Hall
・Yosakoi Festival Official Website
http://www.cciweb.or.jp/kochi/yosakoiweb/
・Yosakoi Festival Promotion Association Official X
https://x.com/YosakoiMatsuriS?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
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