Submitted by Kathi
Idea posted August 23, 2001
I use the fans from Oriental Trading Co. About $2.00 a dozen. They have cherry blooms on a lot of them. I think "Sakura" translates to cherry bloom. I used to make fans with black paint for the branches and sponge on pink paint for the blossoms, when dry, then fold and staple, but I got moved out of my room to the stage, so don't do art projects anymore.
Starting position: Two fans open in front of face - hiding face - shy like every movement is done slowly and gracefully, usually girls in bathrobes and kimonos with flowers in their hair. Also can hang streamers off of fan handles. Hint for paper fans - use clear tape and reinforce, they tear easily.
Dance can be done kneeling or standing.
- When introduction starts, slowly lower fans from face-
- SAKURA - head is turned to right and one nod
- SAKURA - head is turned to left and one nod
- YA YO I NO - right fan rainbow to right
- SO RA WA, - right fan wrist twists so fan is heading down
- underhand rainbow back to starting position
- MI WA TA SU - left fan rainbow to left
- KA GI RI - left fan wrists twists so fan is heading down
- underhand rainbow back to starting position
- KA SU MI KA
- KU MO KA - both fans - same time - do just opposite of phrase 2 & 3
- underhand rainbow wrist twist upper rainbow
- end with fans in front of face- then flutter down to waist
- NI O I ZO
- I ZU RU - flutter fans one goes up to right, one goes down to left
- eyes look to up fan slowly bring back
- I ZA YA,
- I ZA YA, - do above the opposite way when brought back cross fans in front
- MI NI YU KAN - fans are crossed flutter as you bow from the waist
- raise up slowly say "SAYONARA"