Tug-of-War with 7-Ton Rope a Major Battle in Japan’s Kagoshima Pref.
SATSUMASENDAI, Kagoshima — As many as 3,000 men pulled a giant rope — 365 meters long and weighing 7 tons — in a traditional tug-of-war event recently held in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture, filling the area with excitement.
In Satsumasendai, a city in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, a massive traditional tug-of-war event took place recently, drawing the attention of spectators lining the road. The event, known as "Sendai Otsunahiki," featured up to 3,000 participants pulling a rope that stretched a considerable distance of 365 meters and weighed 7 tons.
The history of this event can be traced back to Shimadzu Yoshihiro, a prominent warlord in Satsuma, present-day Kagoshima Prefecture, who initiated the tradition to boost morale for the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. The event is recognized as an important intangible folk cultural property, safeguarded and cherished by the government.
On September 22, a subset of 1,500 participants, including local high school students, engaged in a complementary activity called "tsunaneri," which involved intertwining strands of rope in unison. As the crowd of onlookers gathered around the roadside, the tug-of-war commenced with a signal from a taiko drum around 8:15 p.m. The competitors divided into two teams, grappling with the rope while some crossed over to "enemy lines" to deliver precise throws, simulating the intensity of a fierce battle.
The scene was filled with excitement, as the audience erupted in cheers and applause, celebrating the spirit of camaraderie and tradition that permeated the event.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
