Onnadate

As the title indicates, the principle character in the dance is a spirited female version of the OTOKODATE, the "chivalrous commoner" or "street knight" who, as a self-appointed representative of the common poeple and equipped with a sharp tongue, a fiery temper and a penchant for extravagant bravura be habit , strenuously opposed the gang of unemployed warriors who roamed the streets of Edo intimidating the populace. A rival of her male counterpart, she seeks to outswagger him as best she can but not at the expense of her feminine allure. A brisk and colorful dance, it is important as the original of the more famous "Sukeroku".

- From the pamphlet of "The Nishikawa School of Japanese Classical Dance Nihon Buyo in its San Francisco Premiere Performance" -

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