Ain’t no party like a JSDF party, cause a JSDF party don’t quit.
Upon hearing the words “military band”, one generally envisions an extremely tight group of well-trained musicians playing tremendously dated songs like “Grand Old Flag” that, despite the expert execution, one could probably live without hearing. But in recent years Japan’s Self-Defense Force’s Band Corps have worked to rejuvenate their own repertoire by playing some more current tunes.
One such song is Hatsune Miku’s “Senbonzakura” which could be considered the “Stairway to Heaven” of vocaloid tracks, spawning several covers and reinterpretations in Japan and beyond. The JSDF has embraced this song with even their most elite Central Band playing it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9qFvtS33FU
So it was without huge surprise that the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 14th Band Corps also chose this song for an event honoring the JGSDF 15th Infantry’s 61st anniversary. But when the announcer said “we have something different planned for today,” it wasn’t the song that she was referring to.
A few seconds into the performance, it appears a soldier was late to his post on clarinet and tried to squeeze himself into formation.
However, when he can get in, he decides to go full-on b-boy instead.
Then he pulls out his buddy who’s reluctant at first but suddenly starts popping and locking like a pro.
One by one, more men and women in uniform come out and start dancing to the rhythm.
Then even spectators get in on the action.
Finally, the conductor himself turns to the crowd and begins doing the old Matrix Neo-dodging-bullets routine.
It’s enough to make one wonder how these servicemen and servicewomen could get quite this good at dancing, and rightfully so since none of them are actually members of the JSDF. They all come from Flash Mob Shikoku who worked with the Band Corps on this particular performance honoring the 15th Infantry.
The only mystery remaining in this video is whether the guy on a crutch in the audience was injured in the line of duty, or during the dress-rehearsal for this flash mob.
Source: YouTube/Pull up dance studio via Grape (Japanese)
Videos and screenshots: YouTube/Pull up dance studio, YouTube/Karusonafon