The Soma Nomaoi is a traditional event that boasts a history of over a thousand years, yet its content has gradually evolved over time. Not all of the ceremonies once held continue in exactly the same form today. Rather, it is through the inclusion of new elements suited to each era that the present-day Soma Nomaoi has taken shape.
The Evolution of the Soma Nomaoi: Modern Technology and the Transformation of the Festival
In the old days of the Soma Nomaoi festival, participants would communicate and relay information while riding their horses by calling out to one another or using flags and signal fires. Today, however, mobile phones, radios, and vehicles are used instead. This evolution aims to enhance safety and efficiency while still preserving the traditions of the festival.
Moreover, signature events of today’s Soma Nomaoi, such as the “Sacred Flag Competition (Shinki Sōdatsusen)” and the “Armored Horse Race (Kacchū Keiba),” were not originally part of the festival from the beginning. The origins of each of these events are closely tied to social changes and the expectations of the people at the time.
The Beginning of the Divine Banner Battle
The Sacred Flag Competition began about 150 years ago, around the time when the era of the samurai was coming to an end. Before that, the Soma Nomaoi was mainly focused on *Nomakake*—the practice of driving wild horses into an enclosure to capture them. However, as opportunities for samurai to demonstrate their skills dwindled, this bold and dynamic competition was created as a new element to entertain spectators.
The basic rules of the competition remain unchanged: the divine banner is packed into a fireworks shell and launched into the sky, and the mounted warriors race to seize it using their whips. This event showcases the warriors’ skill and bravery and stands as one of the highlights of the Soma Nomaoi festival.
The Birth of Armored Horse Racing
Armor Horse Racing is even newer than the Sacred Flag Competition, having begun in 1949, during the 23rd year of the Shōwa era, shortly after the war ended. It was conceived as a way to position the Sōma Nomaoi festival as “a peaceful equestrian sports celebration” during Japan’s postwar reconstruction period. In this event, mounted warriors don full armor—helmets and breastplates—and compete in horse races. While recreating the traditional appearance of samurai, the competition also offers the charm and excitement of a modern sporting spectacle.
However, in the one or two years before the armored horse race began, a relay-style horse race was tried out. It seems that the spectators found it a bit dull, and it’s said that it didn’t receive a very good reputation. Reflecting on that experience, the current form of the armored horse race was born.
A Tradition in Constant Evolution
Soma Nomaoi has developed over time, preserving its ancient traditions while adapting to the modern era. Behind this evolution lies the passion and dedication of the local people. By learning about this process of change, we come to understand that Nomaoi is not merely an “old festival,” but a “living culture” that continues to move forward with the times.
