Soma Nomaoi Festival, Minamisoma, Fukushima, 相馬野馬追, 南相馬, 福島, 23 24 7 2010, Kari Gröhn, karigrohncom
Soma Nomaoi Festival, Minamisoma, Fukushima, 相馬野馬追, 南相馬, 福島, 23.-24.7.2010, Kari Gröhn, karigrohncom, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, First Movement, Ensemble des Solistes, Fritz Reiner (1888-1963)
The Soma Nomaoi festival in Minamisoma features horseback samurai reenacting traditions that date back over 1,000 years. The festival is an amazing place to experience samurai culture and it also gives local families a chance to celebrate the history of their hometowns and the samurai roots of their families. The Soma Nomaoi has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Reception of the Supreme Commander, 総大将お迎
The Supreme Commander is given a reception, attended by the descendants of samurai chiefs, deputy strategists, cavalry chiefs and other high-ranking samurai. After the Commander-in-chief gives the order, all the festival participants – complete in samurai gear – make their way to the first horse race of the festival. A cavalryman´s descendant (Kajaani Castle, Finland, the 17th century)
Sacred Flag Competition, 神旗争奪戦
In the sacred flag competition mounted samurai fight to capture sacred flags that are shot into the air.
Procession of Samurai on Horseback, 相馬野馬追
People can enjoy the heroic and gorgeous warring states period through a solemn procession, where equestrian warriors march in traditional samurai armour with banners of various houses and clans. In the old days horses were trained for military service in the fields of Minamisoma.
Armed Horse Race, 甲冑競馬
In the armour horse race 12 samurai race more than a kilometre wearing a full military gear. The samurai could own no more precious jewel than his horse, which because of his speed, mobility, endurance and range of action often became dearer to him than his own spouse.