What is folk dance-konan?

Konan is a folk dance from the village of Konan, situated on the coast of Fukushima, a prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. It is believed that the dance originated from the ritual of throwing fox-like objects known as "konan" into the fishing net to catch a large haul of fish. The traditional dance is held every October and is performed by men and women from the age of five to 75, and is usually practiced with an accompaniment of taiko drums. It involves participants forming two long lines and holding bamboo sticks at both ends. The dancers, who wear traditional white costumes, move in rhythmic steps and create intricate patterns by raising and lowering the bamboo sticks. The folk dance is accompanied by folk songs, and the entire performance is a combination of dance, music and rhythm, expressing the unity and joy of the local community.