Sequence: A, A, B, B, A, A, B, B, A (w/ tag: Repeat Section 4), and A [first 13 counts of Part A] ** Ending
PART A: Translation: I look up as I walk so my tears won’t fall when I cry.
Start after 8 counts ~ just before lyrics.
Section 1: Step Fwd - Rocking Chair - Step Forward & Step Back
[Translation: I look up as I walk.]
1
Step Fwd Rt [Raise Rt hand up right & Lt hand down to left side] (1)
2
Step Fwd Lt [Hold Rt hand position) Raise Lt hand up to left] (2)
3
Touch Rt Fwd [Raise Lt hand to Lt brow w/ Rt hand down to right side] (3) ["I look up"]
4
Touch Rt Bk [Raise Rt hand to Rt brow w/ Lt hand down to left side] (4) ["I look up"]
5, 6
Step Fwd Rt, Lt [Walk 2 steps swinging arms to right and left] (5,6) ["as I walk"]
7
Step Fwd Rt [Swing arms to right] (7)
8
Step Bk Lt [Swing arms to left] (8)
&
Step Bk Rt [Swing arms to right] (&)
Section 2: Step Back - three Sways - three 1/4 Left Turns
[Translation: So when I cry, my tears won’t fall.]
1
Step Bk Lt [Swing arms to left] (1)
2
Step Bk Rt [With Lt hand down on left, curl Rt hand at Rt eye & down on right] (2) ["I cry"]
3
Step Bk L [With Rt hand down on right, curl Lt hand at Lt eye & down on left] (3) ["I cry"]
4 & 5
Rock Rt, Lt, Rt [Sway Rt, Lt, Rt w/ bent elbows & open hands facing out] (4&5) ["but no, no, no"]
6
Step Fwd Lt [Flick fingers away from eyes] (6) ["my tears won’t fall"] (Turn 1/4 Left)
7
Step Fwd Rt [Flick fingers away from eyes] (7) ["my tears won’t fall"] (Turn 1/4 Left)
8
Step Fwd Lt [Flick fingers away from eyes] (8) ["my tears won’t fall"]
Section 3: 1/4 Left Turn - Side Steps & Taps - Cross Over & Recover Steps
[Translation: I remember those days (spent together).]
1, 2
Step Rt to Rt side [Bring Rt fingers to Rt cheek (1) and bring Lt hand under Rt elbow] (2) and Tap Lt next to Rt ["I remember"]
3, 4
Step Lt to Lt side [Bring Lt fingers to Lt cheek (3) and bring Rt hand under Lt elbow] (4) and Tap Rt next to Lt ("I remember"]
5, 6 &
Step Rt over Lt [Move Rt hand (palm up) from left to right in front & Lt hand down on left] Recover on Lt (5,6) ["those days"] Step Rt to side (&)
7, 8 &
Step Lt over Rt [Move Lt hand (palm up) from right to left in front w/ Rt hand down] Recover on Rt [on right] (7,8) Step Lt to side (&)
Section 4: Cross Point Touches - Coaster Step - Charleston Steps
(Hands are half closed during the entire section).
[Translation: But tonight, with sorrow, I walk alone & cry.]
1 & -a- 2
Rt Cross Point touch [Bend Lt elbow and extend Rt down to right side] (1) (Rt over Lt) Rt Step to right side [Switching arms to left side] (& -a-) Lt Cross Point touch [Bend Rt elbow and extent Lt down to left side] (2) (Lt over Rt)
3 & 4
Lt Step Bk [Swing arms to right] (3) Rt Step Bk [Switching to left side] (&) [feet together] Lt Step Fwd [Swing arms to left] (4)
5, 6
Rt Point Touch Fwd [Swing arms to right] (5)Rt Step Bk [Swing arms to left] (6)
7, 8
Lt Point Touch Bk [Swing arms to right] (7)Lt Step Fwd [Swing arms to left] (8)
PART B: Translation: Happiness lies beyond the clouds in the sky above.
Sadness hides in the shadows of the stars and moon.
Section 5: Three Steps Forward & Four Steps Back
1
Step Fwd Rt [Raise Rt hand up to right] (1)
2
Step Fwd Lt [Raise Lt hand up to left] (2)
3
Step Fwd Rt [Both hands form circles in an outward motion, cross in front, then raise hands up front & spread open w/ palms facing up] (3)
4
Step Bk Lt [Lower both hands & crossing hands down in front] (4)
5
Step Bk Rt [Both hands form a circle in front & ending up front w/ palms facing outwards] (5)
6
Step Bk Lt [Both hands form circles in an outward motion & cross in front] (6)
7, 8
Step Bk Rt [Raise hands up front & spread open w/ palms facing up] (7), and hold position (8) (feet together)
** Ending: While swaying Rt, Lt, Rt (counts 3&4 of Section 2), gradually lower both hands & hold position at low right.
Choreographer’s Note: Although the footwork is that of a line dance, it is also a Japanese folk dance with hand movements that basically tell the story of the song lyrics. To assist you in the interpretation of the hand movements, I have provided a brief translation of the lyrics for each section.
If the dance is performed as a Japanese folk dance, or as a "bon dance," it would be performed in a circle and in a counter-clockwise direction.
THIS DANCE IS DEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TOHOKU REGION IN JAPAN FOR THEIR RESILIENCY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI THAT HIT THAT REGION ON MARCH 11, 2011.
Contact: joycegushiken@icloud.com