Hidden Wonders

Hidden Wonders | Armored 'Warriors' Race on Horseback at 1000-Year-Old Festival

Hundreds of horseback warriors competed at a festival in Fukushima Prefecture with roots tracing back to the samurai Taira no Masakado.

Published

4 weeks ago

June 1, 2024

The Sankei Shimbun

The Sacred Flag Competition, a highlight of the Soma Nomaoi festival. As red, blue, and yellow flags were launched into the air by fireworks and drifted down, mounted warriors fiercely competed to seize them, prompting cheers and applause from the spectators. (©Sankei by Kenji Suzuki)

The Soma Nomaoi festival, held along the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, boasts a history spanning over 1000 years. Armored horseback warriors create a spectacular scene reminiscent of the Sengoku period. Traditionally held in July, the festival was rescheduled to May 25-27 in 2024 to avoid the extreme heat, after a horse died from heatstroke during last year's event.

*Horseback warriors parade through the city during the Soma Nomaoi festival on May 26, in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. (©Sankei by Kenji Suzuki)*

Historical Origin

Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, the festival traces its origins to a military exercise conducted by Taira no Masakado, an ancestor of the Soma clan. He used wild horses as stand-ins for enemies.

*Mounted warriors gathered at Soma Nakamura Shrine. May 25, Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. (©Kyodo)*

On the opening day, May 25, a procession of warriors departed from Soma Nakamura Shrine in Soma City. The commander-in-chief was 15-year-old Toshitane Soma, a descendant of the Soma clan now residing in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Armored horse racing, one of the highlights of the Soma Nomaoi festival. Mounted warriors divided into eight races, competing in a fast-paced dash. May 26, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. (©Sankei by Kenji Suzuki)

Main Events

The highlight of the festival was the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 26 at the Hibarigahara Festival Grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture. Around 33,000 spectators erupted in excitement as armored horseback warriors raced with great vigor.

The weather was pleasant, with a maximum temperature of about 24°C (75°F). A refreshing breeze rustled the fresh green leaves as 51 mounted warriors charged, colorful flags streaming behind them. In the sacred flag competition, around 200 riders competed to capture flags shot into the sky and fluttering down.