Buyoishi (舞踊石), called Dancing Stones in English broadcasts, was the first ever obstacle to appear in KUNOICHI's multi-stage format, becoming one of the most iconic obstacles in KUNOICHI's history.
The obstacle was comprised of eight small, rounded spherical objects attached to the top of a short cylindrical pole. Competitors must walk on the spheres one by one to reach the landing platform to advance. This obstacle was proven to be lethal, especially in KUNOICHI 2002, in which it claims 63 victims, the most victims on a single obstacle for any of Monster9's shows.
During its lifespan, it had three different versions, with Mizuno Yūko being the only competitor to clear all three versions at least once.
First Version[]
Watanabe Kazue attempting Buyoishi in
KUNOICHI 2002
This was arguably the hardest version of Buyoishi. The tops of the posts were extremely small, no wider than the posts themselves, which made the obstacle uncomfortable to attempt. In addition, the spherical tops seemed to have been extremely slick, causing many competitors to reach the landing platform, only for them to fall into the water. It recorded 63 victims in KUNOICHI 2002, which still remains the highest number of victims occurred on a single obstacle for any of Monster9's shows.
Clear that it would make the number of clears very low for the future tournaments, the producers decide to modify Buyoishi in the following tournament.
Second Version[]
Mizuno Yūko attempting modified Buyoishi in KUNOICHI 2003
Due to the record of victims in the previous tournament, in KUNOICHI 2003, Buyoishi was modified by making the spherical tops much larger, which in process let many competitors be able to fit their entire foot on one stone. While it wasn't as dangerous as its predecessor, it still did good damage, taking out at least thirty competitors.
Nagano Asami attempting modified Buyoishi in KUNOICHI 2009
However, despite this version finding a solid level of difficulty for this tournament, it was modified in the following tournament, before this version returned in KUNOICHI 2009, albeit the posts were now painted in silver instead of yellow.
Despite its good damage once again, due to Komiya Rie and Kadoi Satomi's Kanzenseihas in the tournament, it was finally scrapped for good, being replaced by Reverse Conveyor in KUNOICHI 2017 Spring.
Third Version[]
Higashi Rena attempting modified Buyoishi in KUNOICHI 2004
Buyoishi was once again modified to be harder compared to the previous tournament, possibly due to First Stage having 14 clears. While it was visually unchanged from the previous version, the producers made one of the spherical tops spring-loaded, which was proven to be the modification the producers wanted, as it stopped competitors from skipping the majority of the obstacle and set up a virtually pre-determined path that required the competitors to traverse six of the eight posts.
This version did good damage, as it took out top competitors such as Mizuno, who is one of three finalists in the previous tournament, in KUNOICHI 2004. It also proven to be a great time waster, causing many other competitors to time out later in the stage. However, it was replaced by Fuyuu Sou in KUNOICHI 2006 Summer.
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Modified Buyoishi in KUNOICHI 2007
Miyake Ayako attempting modified Buyoishi in KUNOICHI 2007
It however make a surprise return in KUNOICHI 2007, being placed as the second obstacle in Second Stage, making it one of few obstacles in KUNOICHI's history to be used on different stages. There is no significant modification except the posts are painted in silver instead of yellow.
None of the competitors attempting this version in this tournament failed, possibly to due their experience to the course. Due to the change of format in KUNOICHI 2009, the obstacle for that tournament went back to the second version, as well as being relocated to the third obstacle.
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
American Ninja Warrior 6's Dancing Stones in Miami
The Buyoishi (called as the Dancing Stones) appeared as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 6 in Miami, becoming the third KUNOICHI obstacle to be used on American Ninja Warrior (after the Domino Hill on American Ninja Warrior 5 in Venice Beach and Rotating Bridge on American Ninja Warrior 5 in Denver).
In this version of the obstacle, the spherical tops were made much larger (to the point where competitors can stand on both feet on a stone) and more unstable than in KUNOICHI. Also, the area below the obstacle was filled with safety mats (rather than the water in KUNOICHI). However, competitors were not allowed to use their hands while attempting the obstacle. Although the obstacle was proven to be relatively easy for the competitors during Miami qualifiers, it is known that most of the fails on the obstacle were attributed to disqualification on the obstacle, examples of which include Michael Pericoloso and Chad Hohn.
Flip Rodriguez attempting Dancing Stones in American Ninja Warrior 6
Since there were 42 competitors who completed the Miami qualifiers course and advanced to Miami finals, during Miami finals, some of the tops were placed lower than during Miami qualifiers. As the result, the obstacle took out 7 more competitors, including Brett Sims, Idoko Abuh (who was disqualified for touching one of the tops with his hand), William Brown, Kavon Sadler, Reko Rivera, and Josh Windbeck.
Team Ninja Warrior[]
Team Ninja Warrior's Dancing Stones
The Dancing Stones was used as the fourth obstacle on Team Ninja Warrior (competitors could use their hands on this competition). The stones used here were made conical with flat tops.
Team Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Team Ninja Warrior Germany 1's Dancing Stones
On Team Ninja Warrior Germany 1, Dancing Stones appeared as the third obstacle of Episode 2, 4 and 5 in the Seeding Round and Relay.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
Ninja Warrior UK's Dancing Stones
On Ninja Warrior UK, the Dancing Stones appeared as the third obstacle in every qualifying heat, which was very similar to the one used during American Ninja Warrior 6's Miami qualifiers. However, the number of spherical tops was reduced to just five. Also, competitors were not allowed to use their hands while attempting the obstacle. If they did so, they would be disqualified.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 1's Dancing Stones
On Ninja Warrior Germany, the Dancing Stones (Pilzköpfe, literally Mushroom Caps) appeared as the third obstacle in Preliminary Rounds 2 and 3, which had a similar arrangement as the Ninja Warrior UK version.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Dancing Stones
On Ninja Warrior Austria 2, Dancing Stones (Pilzköpfe, literally Mushroom Caps) appeared as the third obstacle of Heat 1, 2 and 4. The stones were similar the ones used in Team Ninja Warrior. There were seven stones in total, each of which was arranged similarly to that in Ninja Warrior Poland 4; four in a straight line, one offset to the left between the first and second stone, one offset to the right between the second and third stone, and another one offset to the left between the third and fourth stone.
Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Dancing Stones in Stage One
Later in the same series, the Dancing Stones returned as the third obstacle of Stage One. This times, however, there were four stones, with a wide gap between the second and third. Within the gap were three dangling poles.
Ninja Warrior Austria 3's Dancing Stones in the Heats
The Heats version of the obstacle returned the next year in Ninja Warrior Austria 3, as the third obstacle of Heat 2 and 6, with no change in the layout of stones.
Ninja Warrior NL[]
Ninja Warrior NL's Dancing Stones
On Ninja Warrior NL, the Dancing Stones appeared as the third obstacle in the Semifinals.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland 4's Dancing Stones
On Ninja Warrior Poland 4, the Dancing Stones (literally translated as Tańczące Kamienie) appeared as the third obstacle during heats, replacing the Spinning Bridge from the previous season. It consisted of seven posts, with the design of each post being made similar to the version used in Team Ninja Warrior. It turned out to be one of the more difficult obstacles as it had more eliminations than the Spinning Bridge.
Ninja Warrior Poland 4's Dancing Stones with Poles
Later on the same season, the obstacle reappeared as the third obstacle in the Finals' Stage One, replacing Broken Bridge from the previous season. The number of posts were reduced to four: two at the beginning and two at the end, and between them there were three poles, the same as those used in the Pole Grasper. Nobody failed this version.
Competitor's Succes Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS/Polsat broadcast and external information found.
KUNOICHI[]
| KUNIOCHI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 61 | 90 | 67.78% |
| 2002 | 57 | 100 | 57% |
| 2003 | 79 | 100 | 79% |
| 2004 | 86 | 100 | 86% |
| 2006 New Year | 82 | 100 | 82% |
| 2007 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| 2009 | 22 | 27 | 81.48% |
| Total | 390 | 501 | 77.84% |
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP4 | 16 | 16 | 100% |
| Total | 16 | 16 | 100% |
Gallery[]
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