Jason Arney Photography

Lost Verse

Quality: http://smu.gs/1FSOz5z 第５９回高円寺阿波踊りにて、飛べる熊の発見！ （親父ギャグ... すみません（汗）

For me no Koenji Awaodori is complete without seeing friends from Hyottoko-ren! I wish I could have caught them in better light this year, but their performance and spirit carry any shot their featured in.

Overwhelming joy at the 59th Koenji Awaodori

For more on Edokko-ren: https://www.facebook.com/edokko.ren

As I slowly pour through the massive collection of shots I gathered at the 59th Koenji Awaodori, I remain still in amazement at the harmony, spirit, and strength on display. Matsuri themselves reflect many great characteristics of people, our ability to achieve results as a group, our ability to express subtle nuances in our art, and the beauty of those captured by the roaring fires of their passion.

Passion and energy define Edokko-ren's performances and moments like these are why I began to explore using slow shutter and strobes for Awaodori. As you might imagine, it is hard to control the final result, but when you know the performances well enough you can visualize how the scene will form.

The lovely ladies of Kikusui-ren!

A beautiful dancer from Edokko-ren shows off her infectious smile.

The ladies of Suiko-ren prepare for the 2015 Koenji Awaodori.

For more on Eddoko-ren: http://edokko-ren.net/

Quality: http://smu.gs/1Jeg19x The Koenji Awaodori begins this Saturday and I couldn't be happier knowing I'll be shooting it for the third year in a row. Featured here is Hyottoko-ren, if you get the chance look for them at the festival: http://www.hyottoko-ren.com/

Young dancers examine a handheld lantern the adult dancers use in their performance.

中目黒阿波おどろにて、いなせ連のチャーミングな演出 The charming performance of Inase-ren during the Nakameguro Awaodori

At the Kitamachi Awaodori, a new star was born from Maicho-ren.

いつも下がらない情熱を持ち、彼しかできない演出