What are the steps to the Japanese coal miners dance?

Answer 1

There are 2 that I know of and the steps are similar. Tanko Bushi and Kawachi Ondo.

Tanko Bushi

Lift R ft up below L knee then touch R toe to floor.

At the same time pretend you are holding a spade and dig with both hands towards the floor.

Lift R ft again, but this time place full weight on R ft as you dig

with hands again towards the floor. (Basically taking a step forward)

Repeat 1 & 2 but to the left and with L ft.

Touch R toe to floor and throw hands over R shoulder and take a step with your R ft. (As if throwing the coal behind you.)

Touch L ft to floor and throw hands over L shoulder and take a step with your L ft.

Now touch R toe back and then step on it as you place L hand, palm out, over head as if shading eyes, R hand is back. Then step with full weight on R ft.

Now step back on L toe, then step with full weight on L ft as R hand shades eyes and L hand goes back.

Push with both hands from shoulder out, palm out as if pushing coal cart forward and at same time step forward on R ft.

Then push again and step forward on L ft.

Step forward on R ft and bring both hands downwards from in front of body and to the sides.

Step forward on L ft raising hands and then bring R ft down beside left and clap own hands once.

Then do two-quick and one slow clap.

(The clapping rhythm is slow--quick, quick--slow.)

Also it helps to know that you always begin the dance on the vocal.

NOTE:

Cue the above as follows:

Dig and Dig

and dig and dig

and throw and throw

and shade and shade

and push and push

and down up clap, clap, clap, clap.

In Kawachi Ondo, the second group of steps (throwing the coal) is replaced by a twisting motion as if tieing a headband. First on the right then on the left.