The Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear accident put the Soma Nomaoi festival at risk of extinction. Many mounted warriors lost their homes, horses, and armor, and the spiritual pillars of the local community were shaken. In these difficult times, however, Nakajima Miki stepped up as the supreme commander and "military strategist." He served in government for an exceptionally long period of 11 years, from 2012 to 2022, and his path, under the slogan "Recovery begins with Soma Nomaoi," was a true story of regional revitalization.
How did they overcome the chaotic period following the earthquake and how did they restore the dignity of Nomaoi? And what was the "aesthetics of retirement" that allowed them to make way for their successors? We explore the heavy responsibility and the samurai spirit through the words of former military strategist Nakajima Miki.
1. Appointment in the Year After the Earthquake: Rebirth from a Void
Q: In 2012, the year following the earthquake and tsunami, you assumed the position of *gunshi* (chief strategist). What were the circumstances surrounding the Soma Nomaoi festival at that time?
Nakajima Miki (hereinafter referred to as Nakajima): In 2011, the earthquake and nuclear accident made it impossible to hold the festival as usual, and the festival faced a major void. I myself was forced to move from one evacuation center to another, living in Niigata, Yamagata, and Tochigi, and I had to carry my armor in my car as I traveled, fearing it would be stolen. I think this shows how central Nomaoi was to my identity.
Q: In such circumstances, what was the theme you upheld as a strategist?
Nakajima: There was no hesitation. "Recovery begins with Soma Nomaoi." It was urgent to revive the event as a way to show gratitude for the support received from all over the country, and above all, to cheer up the exhausted local residents. We made sure to incorporate our strong desire for recovery into our speeches and greetings. Nomaoi was not just a religious ceremony, but it had to play a role as a spiritual pillar for the local community.
2. As a Demon of Discipline: Restoring the Dignity of the Soma Nomaoi
Q: One of Strategist Nakajima’s notable achievements is said to be the restoration of the “dignity” of the Soma Nomaoi festival. What specific reforms did he implement?
Nakajima: When I was younger, the participants’ speech patterns were more like everyday conversation, saying things such as, “Hey bro, let’s go,” and the solemnity of the festival as one of samurai was on the verge of being lost. Troubled by this, I studied “samurai speech” and proper demeanor on my own through NHK period dramas and historical programs, and I worked to instill these practices among participants through study sessions.
I also devoted great effort to maintaining the visual “aesthetics.” After assuming the role of military strategist, I prohibited the wearing of baseball caps in the procession and strictly enforced attire befitting mounted samurai. I felt strongly that I didn’t want people coming from all over the country to say, “What kind of event is that?” My goal was to strike a balance between showcasing the festival as a tourism asset and upholding the pride of the samurai.
Q: We understand that you also provided strict instruction regarding the spacing of the parade and the handling of the horses.
Nakashima: Yes. It was an 11-year period during which I consistently taught, “Do nothing disgraceful.” In particular, disorder in the ranks directly leads to a decline in morale and a loss of dignity. I demanded strict discipline in everything, even in the handling of horses. I take pride in the belief that the foundation for today’s tradition — the “well-ordered Soma Nomaoi” we built over these 11 years — continues to uphold its spirit today.
3. “Creating Tradition”: The Revival of Samurai Language
Q: The revival of "samurai speech" can be seen as an act of "creating" tradition. What kind of intention or feeling lay behind that effort?
中島: Tradition will fade if it is merely handed down unchanged. It takes effort to reinterpret its essence in accordance with the times, to preserve, and to restore it. We once studied and revived the unique speeches and expressions of the Soma Nomaoi—which were on the verge of disappearing—by referencing period dramas and even holding workshops. This was all to reclaim the solemn atmosphere that defines the Nomaoi. The dignity the modern Nomaoi possesses can, I believe, be called the fruit of the creative efforts made by those before us, myself included.
4. The Aesthetics of Honorable Retirement: The Art of Knowing When to Step Down
Q: You stepped down as the military strategist in 2022. As your 11-year tenure came to an end, what thoughts did you have at that moment?
Nakajima: I was 74 years old and felt my physical strength was declining. Above all, I thought that the most important thing was to know when to retire. I felt that it was my responsibility as a samurai to step down with dignity when the path had been paved for my successor, Monma Mitsukiyo, and preparations were complete for a new era.
Q: I’ve heard that you completed your final Soma Nomaoi without even telling your family.
Nakajima: Yes. It's a complete sense of responsibility as a public figure. My mission was to fulfill my duties as a military strategist until the very end and see the festival to a success. If my 11 years of service have contributed in some way to the "resilience" of Soma-Nomaoi, I could not be happier.
