Japanese folk dances approved as UNESCO intangible heritage

A collection of Japanese traditional "Furyu-odori" folk dances on Wednesday was approved for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a committee of the U.N. cultural body said.The 41 regional dances, which originated in medieval times, have been passed down through the generations and are performed by communities to commemorate their ancestors, pray for good harvests or rain, or seek protection from disasters.The dances from 24 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including the summer "Bon Odori," feature colorful costumes and props and are accompanied by flutes and drums.Japanese For…READ FULL ARTICLE