Soma Nomaoi, boasting a history of over a thousand years, has long been held in late July. However, beginning in 2024, its schedule underwent a major shift to late May. This decision is highly unusual in the succession of traditional events and represents the agonizing answer of today’s mounted warriors to the ultimate question: “Tradition, or life?”
In this article, we will examine the compelling reasons behind the change in the event date and consider the risks and challenges that the new May date will pose to the Nomaoi.
1. Pushing the limits: battling extreme heat
The main reason for the change in the event date is the extreme summer heat caused by global warming.
The 2023 Nomaoi was held in scorching heat, with maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C. This harsh environment pushed both the horses and the people to their limits.
Impact on people: The new military strategist, Monma Mitsukiyo, had been receiving intravenous therapy three days before the event and again on the day of the event, but he temporarily collapsed during the procession.
Impact on horses: Sakamoto's horse showed signs of heatstroke and was forced to withdraw from the Divine Flag Battle. Furthermore, in the past, there have been tragic accidents in which horses have died from heatstroke.
Kamojima Gunshi revealed that the changes, originally scheduled for 2025, were brought forward in response to a high number of horse fatalities and emergency transports. This was a pragmatic decision made by the executives of this traditional event, who prioritized the lives and safety of horses and riders over preserving tradition.。
2. Background and history of the change in the event date
The Soma Nomaoi has long been held in July as an event based on the lunar calendar, but adhering to this historical basis has put the continuation of the tradition itself at risk.
| Previous Event Date | New Event Date | Reason for Change | |
| Date | Late July | Late May | Ensuring the safety of horses and riders due to extreme heat |
| Judgment | Traditional Customs | Life and safety are the top priority | The extreme heat of 2023 will be the deciding factor |
| Impact | Increased risk of heatstroke and horse death | Increased risk of rainy weather and horse activation | Pursuing the sustainability of tradition |
3. New Challenges Brought by the May Schedule
While the shift to May successfully avoids the extreme-heat challenge, it also exposes the Soma Nomaoi to new risks and issues.
3.1. Risk of Rain and Protection of Traditional Tack
May late in the month marks the beginning of the rainy season, and the likelihood of rainy weather rises. Strategist Monma is concerned that, because most armor and horse tack are made of “leather and lacquer,” exposure to moisture could cause them to warp or deteriorate.
• Challenge: Measures to protect historical equipment from water damage (such as preparing rain gear and ensuring proper storage methods) have become an urgent necessity. Strategies that balance traditional materials with adaptation to modern climate change are required.
3.2. Activation of Horses and the Skill of the Riders
Cooler weather presents new challenges when it comes to keeping horses in good condition.
• Challenge: There is a risk that horses, which had been subdued by the heat, may become “overly spirited” due to the cooler climate. Strategist Monma has heightened his vigilance over the increasing difficulty of controlling the horses and the potential rise in accidents such as falls or runaways. As a result, mounted warriors will be required to demonstrate even higher levels of equestrian skill and control.
4. From “Preservation” to “Utilization” of Tradition
This change in the event’s timing demonstrates the community’s “flexibility toward transformation” in the face of the multiple crises confronting the Soma Nomaoi — the earthquake disaster, climate change, and the declining birthrate coupled with an aging population.
Rather than clinging to tradition as something “unchanging,” it is the attitude of “applying” and “renewing” it that represents the only path to connect a thousand-year legacy to the future. The shift to a May schedule marks a major step in that direction and will likely serve as a demonstration to the world of the resilience—robust adaptability—that enables traditional events to adjust to modern society and continue to endure.
