The climax of the Soma Nomaoi festival, the “Sacred Flag Competition,” is a magnificent reenactment of a Sengoku-era battle in which hundreds of mounted warriors vie for the divine flags launched into the sky. The testimony of Mr. Hiroyuki Sue, who has captured more than thirty flags and is known as a “veteran flag-catcher,” vividly reveals that this contest is far more than a mere test of strength—it unveils the profound mastery behind the competition and the evolving spirit of the Nomaoi through the ages.
What lies behind the sensation that a flag is “coming toward you”? And what are the skills and spirit that Sue, who knows the once “wild” battles, should pass on to the mounted warriors of today?
1. The True Nature of the Feeling That “the Flag Is Coming”
Q: You have claimed more than 30 flags in the sacred flag competition. What would you say is the most crucial factor in capturing a flag?
It takes skill, experience, and above all, luck. In particular, the first flag to be launched, "No. 1," is heavily influenced by the wind, making it extremely difficult to predict where it will land. Even though I have caught over 30 flags, I have never been the first to do so.
Q: In Sakamoto Sumi’s interview, she mentioned experiencing a sensation as if the flag was “coming toward her.” Do you ever feel something like that, Sue-san?
Yes, I have experienced that. When I am able to capture a flag, it is a moment when everything aligns perfectly—the formation of the horses, the direction of the wind, and my own positioning. At that instant, it feels as though the flag possesses a will of its own and descends gently toward me. It may be a kind of state similar to being “in the zone,” one that comes only when long years of experience, trust with the horse, and an instinct for competition are honed to their peak.
2. Memories of the Turbulent Era and the Evolution of Rules
Q: When you participated in the Sacred Flag Competition, what were the main differences compared to how it is today?
The divine banner contest of the past was far more “wild” than it is today.
• Walking on horseback: There were fearless warriors who walked across tightly packed horses to seize the flags. I’ve heard that Mr. Sakamoto’s grandfather was one of them as well.
• Physical interference: Rough tactics such as prodding a neighboring horse with a whip or placing a foot on an opponent’s stirrup were common.
• Iron discipline: On days when I couldn’t capture even a single flag, family meals at home went on as usual—with no celebration—reflecting the strict environment I grew up in.
Q: Now that the rules have been established and dangerous acts are prohibited, how do you view this change?
Ensuring safety is crucial. However, even with established rules, the necessity of skillfully controlling one’s horse remains unchanged. In fact, since rough play is no longer allowed, pure horsemanship and sound judgment are now tested more than ever.
3. A technical perspective on catching the flag: "Practicing horse racing is the shortcut to improvement"
Q: Could you please give some advice to young people who are about to take on the challenge of flag capturing?
I often say that practicing horse racing is the quickest way to improve at flag capturing. In the Sacred Flag Competition, what matters most is positioning before the flag falls, the ability to make your horse stop abruptly once it does, and then reaccelerate smoothly. All of these rely on a solid foundation in horsemanship—the skill of controlling your horse freely and precisely.
As Kadouma points out, moving the race to May also risks horses becoming "too energetic." Horses will be harder to control in cooler weather, which will put even more demands on the jockeys' skills.
4. Inheriting Tradition and Looking Toward the Future
Q: What does the Soma Nomaoi mean to you, Mr. Sue?
Nomaoi is a place where we reaffirm our pride as descendants of the samurai. And it is our mission to pass this tradition on to the next generation. The act of capturing a flag is not merely a victory, but carries a sacred meaning — that of “grasping the divine.” I wish to continue watching over and passing down this sacred battle for generations to come.
