Today among the youth, there is as much, or even more, dancer population as musician one. At night, at the nearby station where I used to hear young aspiring artists strumming the guitar and sing in harmony, now I see groups of dancers practicing on the street. Hearing the phrase “street dance,” I used to picture break-dancers and hip-hop dancers, but I found out there are a variety of dance styles on the street – one of which is called “Be-Bop.”
As I imagined, the dance is choreographed to a jazz “Be-Bop” tune or something speedy like that. Unlike the NY style jazz dance, it’s highly improvisational and also often seen in dance battles.
But, according to my friend, Jime of a professional dance team called “Repoll,” what’s called “Be-Bop” dance in Japan is actually one of the styles of UK Jazz Dance. Within UK Jazz Dance, there are 3 styles: Northern Jazz, Fusion, and Be-Bop.
It’s easily imagined why so many young people get involved in dance; they are looking for something “cool,” something “passionate,” something “shared.” Also, dance is a very physical thing that it literally allows them to shake off extra energy they’ve got. Naturally, as the population grows, some of them become pioneers to develop other dance styles, so I am not so amazed that in a couple decades, they have brought and developed so many street dance styles in Japan.
Furthermore, the street dance is connected to the street fashion, and wearing in that manner, you are easily recognized as one…regardless of your dance skills and technique…so preparing the outer frame or form provides those interested with quick involvement. I don’t know about other cultures…but at least in Japan, it’s an important aspect for something to break out and win the popularity. And, I think it’s a lot to do with our tradition. In both good and bad ways, the Japanese traditionally regard formalities of things, they feel more comfortable if they can see set formats.