Awaodori folk dancers in Tokushima Prefecture will wear special outfits without the Buddhist swastika when they perform in Germany this month due to its similarity with the Nazi emblem.
About 30 dancers will depart Monday for performances in six cities in connection with the World Cup soccer finals.
Many Awaodori dance teams wear outfits bearing the Buddhist swastika, as it was the family emblem of the feudal lord of the area.
"The Buddhist swastika has a longer history than the Nazi swastika. . . . but we should give due consideration because we will perform a happy dance," said Tadashi Okamoto, leader of the Hachisuka-ren dance team.
