Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - People dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3.

Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - Women dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3.

Woman realting stories to music

Woman realting stories to music

Two women play an instrument while they tell a story. The woman to the left holds a shamisen, and the woman to the right holds a Kokyu. The kokyu is a string instrument some what smaller compared to the shamisen, and is often used for ensembles with the shamisen and koto.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:Suzuki Shin-ichi, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number41‐33‐0]

Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - People dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3. (Kyodo)

Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - Women dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3. (Kyodo)