The original Yosakoi Matsuri festival first took place in 1954, as part of an innovation to draw attention to the Kochi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and help to revitalize the local economy during a period or post-war recession. The Tokyo version, named the ‘Super Yosokai’, takes place for the tenth time this year. Officially named the ‘Hoshuku Meiji Jingu Chinza Kyuju Nen Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Volkswagen Super Yosakoi 2010’, this year’s festival coincides with, and is dedicated to, the ninetieth anniversary of Meiji Shrine. Approximately 6,000 people (99 teams – 12 of which are from the original Yosakoi event in Kochi Prefecture) are scheduled to take part in the event, which will also include dancers from various countries including Ghana, Vietnam and Korea. Expect some elaborate and energetic performances and costumes from each team as they dance to the rhythm of the naruko (a type of Japanese clapper that the people of Kochi originally used as a means to scare sparrows away from fields).