The “Nomaoi-hara,” where the Soma Nomaoi festival was once held, was originally a vast pastureland where wild horses roamed freely. However, about 150 years ago, with the Meiji Restoration— a revolution that transformed Japan and brought an end to the era of the samurai—this area reached a major turning point.
When the new government (the Meiji government) was established during the Meiji era, people began to think, “It’s a waste to use the horses of the Nomaoi Plain only for ceremonial purposes.” At that time, horses were extremely valuable as a crucial source of labor for transportation, farming, and warfare. As a result, the government captured all the horses from the Nomaoi Plain and relocated them—mainly to the Kanto region—to be used as labor. Consequently, there were no horses left on the Nomaoi Plain.
The Soma Nomaoi After the Horses Were Gone
The era of the samurai came to an end, and the horses of the Nomaoi Plain disappeared. However, the event known as Nomaoi itself did not fade away—it continued on, taking on a new form.
Nomao-i Conducted by the Shrines
Originally, the Soma clan’s lord presided over the Nomaoi festival, but with the end of the samurai era, the social rank of “lord” itself disappeared. As a result, the Nomaoi transformed from a family ceremony of the Soma clan into a festival organized by local shrines.
With this change, a “mikoshi” (portable Shinto shrine) began to appear in the procession. The mikoshi is a symbol of the shrine, and its inclusion gave the Soma Nomaoi a stronger character as a sacred Shinto ritual. Even today, the overall commander is a descendant of the Soma clan, ensuring that the tradition of the Nomaoi continues to be preserved.
Birth of the Divine Banner Competition
As the traditional event of chasing wild horses—the heart of the Nomaoi—could no longer be held, a new event called the “Sacred Flag Competition” was created in its place. In this gallant contest, mounted warriors compete fiercely to capture sacred flags, and it has become one of the most iconic events of the modern Nomaoi festival.
Efforts to Keep the Soma Nomaoi Alive: Adapting to the Times
The Soma Nomaoi has faced many difficult times throughout its long history—periods when natural disasters and wars made it nearly impossible to hold the event. Yet, on each occasion, it found ways to adapt to the times and continue, evolving while preserving its spirit.
Changes in Tune with the Times
- An era when the wild horses of Nomaoihara disappeared
- The Sacred Flag Tournament was born.
- In recent years, extreme heat has become a problem.
- To protect the health of the horses and riders, the event was moved from July to May.
In this way, the Soma Nomaoi has preserved its traditions by embracing change.
Unchanging Wish: A Festival Praying for Everyone’s Happiness
Even though its outward appearance may have changed, the true spirit of the Soma Nomaoi remains the same. It is a festival that prays for the prosperity of the region and the happiness of the people who live there.
That is why the Nomaoi will continue into the future. As spectators, please watch over this cherished tradition while calling out words of encouragement like “Take care!”, “Do your best!”, and “Welcome back!”
