In the symbolic event of Soma Nomaoi known as the “Sacred Banner Competition,” colors representing the three shrines called the “Three Myōken” appear. Each is distinguished by the following colors:
- Red: Soma Ota Shrine
- Yellow: Soma Odaka Shrine
- Blue: Soma Nakamura Shrine
This color appears not only in the Divine Banner Capture Battle but also in various other scenes of the Soma Nomaoi festival. One such example is the design of the whip carried by the officers known as “Gunjya.”
The Role of the Military Officer
The “gunja” holds an important position in the Soma Nomaoi festival. In modern terms, their role is comparable to that of a managerial position within a company. They are seasoned veterans who have participated many times and serve as mentors, passing down their skills and traditions to younger warriors.
The whip carried by the gunja, or military officer, is one of the pieces of equipment used by the mounted warriors, and a small flag is attached to its tip. This flag features the colors of the Three Myōken Shrines, and it has an intriguing characteristic—the order of the colors changes each year depending on which shrine serves as the “shrine in charge” for that year.
The Colors of the Three Myōken Shrines and the Order of Their Flags
The three-colored flag symbolizing the Three Myōken has the following characteristics:
- Color Reordering by On-duty Shrine
- The order of the flags changes depending on which shrine is on duty that year. For example, if the on-duty shrine is Soma Ota Shrine, red will be at the front. In years when Odaka Shrine or Nakamura Shrine is on-duty, yellow and blue will be at the front, respectively.
- Meaning of the Tricolor Flag
- The Sanmyoken tricolor flag symbolizes the sacredness and tradition of Nomaoi. This detailed rule of changing the order of the flags is one of the profound cultural aspects of Nomaoi that has been cultivated over its long history.
An Inspiration to Deepen Interest in the Soma Nomaoi Festival
By learning about these detailed rules and meanings, you’ll come to realize that the Soma Nomaoi is not just a festival—it’s an event filled with the region’s history and the heartfelt sentiments of its people. Spectators, too, can enjoy the Nomaoi even more by paying attention to the colors representing the Three Myokens and the order in which the flags are arranged.
