Wild Horse Festival (redirected from Soma-Nomaioi)

Wild Horse Festival (Soma-Nomaioi)

July 22-25

The Wild Horse Festival, or Soma-Nomaioi, takes place annually in Soma City and Minami-Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture in eastern Japan. The festival occurs over four days, July 22-25. It is a historical re-enactment of military exercises that are more than 1,000 years old.
In the event's highlight, on July 24, about 600 mounted samurai warriors in replicas of traditional Japanese armor gallop across the vast Hibarigahara plain and vie for 40 shrine flags propelled into the air by fireworks. On the same day, 12 armored Samurai warriors compete in a 1,000-meter race. Other colorful spectacles include opening ceremonies at three shrines on July 23; a procession on July 24 summoned by conch shell horn and war drums; and the Nomagake ritual on July 25. During the latter event, white-clad wranglers capture horses with their bare hands and offer them at the Odaka Shrine. These military exercises are thought to have originated in the 10th century, and they have been re-enacted for hundreds of years. Thousands of visitors come to witness the colorful spectacle and amazing equestrian skills.

CONTACTS:
Japan National Tourist Organization
One Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
212-757-5640; fax: 212-307-6754
www.japantravelinfo.com
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Celebration days: Jul 22 - Jul 25