The Soma Nomaoi is a tradition that has been passed down for 1,000 years, and at the same time, it is also a stage for rebirth, reconnecting the bonds between people that were torn apart by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The story of Sakamoto Sumi, a mounted warrior from Nakanogo, is a human drama depicting the deep loss caused by the disaster and the miraculous reunion that was born through a traditional event.
Sakamoto, who lost the Sugano family—his mentor in the world of Soma Nomaoi and also his relatives—to the tsunami. After once stepping away from the festival, he returned for the first time in 22 years. What was the unbelievable experience he had during the Sacred Flag Competition? Through his words, we explore the aspect of Soma Nomaoi as a “device that connects the living and the dead.”
1. Reflections on My Mentor and the Sugano Family Lost to the Tsunami
Q: In your life devoted to the Soma Nomaoi festival, what kind of presence did the Sugano family have for you?
My life as a Nomaoi runner was supported by the family of my relative, Sugano Chohachi of Kitago. I made my debut as a high school student, and the Sugano family supported me both materially and spiritually. For me, the time I spent with the Sugano family was the essence of my youth.
Q: How did the earthquake disaster affect your participation in the Soma Nomaoi festival and your life as a whole?
In the 2011 tsunami, four members of my family—everyone except for my uncle Chōhachi—lost their lives, and our home and horses were all swept away. The place that had been both my mentor and my emotional support disappeared in an instant. The sense of loss was so overwhelming that I stepped away from the Nomaoi for a time.
2. The Revival After 22 Years and the Reenactment of a Miracle
Q: After a long 22-year hiatus, you made a full comeback in 2022. What motivated your decision to return?
After all, the Soma Nomaoi festival has always been the only place where I could reaffirm my bond with the Sugano family. And in 2023, during the Sacred Flag Competition, which I entered riding a horse borrowed from my uncle, I witnessed an unbelievable sight.
Q: What kind of miracle occurred during the Sacred Banner Competition?
The sacred flag, launched high into the sky, rode the wind and descended straight toward me. It was exactly the same situation as when I captured the sacred flag for the first time in my senior year of high school. It felt as if the flag itself had chosen me and come to me.
Q: What feelings went through your mind at that moment?
I took it as proof that the deceased Sugano family were watching over me, welcoming me back. Nomaoi is not just a festival. I strongly felt that it is a "living device" that connects the living with the dead in the area and passes on the memories of the community.
3. Inheriting Tradition and a Message for the Future
Q: I understand that during the 2023 Nomaoi, under the intense heat, one of the horses showed signs of heatstroke, and you had no choice but to withdraw from the sacred flag competition.
Yes. The intense heat at that time was enough to push both the horses and the riders to their limits. The strategist, Kadouma, was commanding while receiving an IV drip, and it forced us to think carefully about the balance between maintaining tradition and the safety of lives. I think that moving the event to May was an unavoidable decision in order to pass on the tradition to the future.
Q: Finally, what does Soma Nomaoi mean to you, Mr. Sakamoto?
Sakamoto: “The earthquake taught me what truly matters.” For me, the Soma Nomaoi is a tribute to what we have lost, an expression of gratitude for the lives that endure, and a proud legacy of our community that must be carried into the future. By donning armor and mounting our horses, I believe we reclaim the samurai spirit within us and gain the strength to face any hardship.
