Ryukyu Culture Site of the Month
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Tug of war, dragon boat races top weekend action
A five-ton rope offers the challenges in Yonabaru this weekend, while muscle power is
also the order of the day at Nago City’s Dragon Boat races.
The two-day Yonabaru Festival begins Saturday with traditional summer music, dance
and plenty of food, while a 400-year tradition is continued Sunday afternoon with a
Tug-of-War. The 26th Annual Yonabaru Tug-of-War is mostly for fun, a far cry from
historical times when residents used the tug-of-war festival to chase the evil spirits
away and to give thanks for bountiful harvests.
While powerful drums pound and bells are rung to stir up the festival crowd, two huge
sections of rope—one male, one female—are tied together, ready for East and West
teams to begin competition. Traditionally, the winning team is said to be set for a year
of good fortune. The 90-meter rope, five tons of straw woven together, is first carried
to the city center for the tug-of-war.
Once over, pieces of rope are hacked away and taken home by participants and
spectators as a sign of good luck Yonabaru residents believe will symbolize business
prosperity, welfare of the household and perfect health in the year ahead. Sponsored
by the Yonabaru Town Society of Commerce and Industry, the tug-of-war is open to
everyone age 20 or older.
People wanting to participate should register at the festival site beginning at 2 p.m.
Sunday. All registered participants will receive Yonabaru Festival original tee shirts
presented by Coca Cola, Orion Beer and Masahiro Awamori, the festival sponsors.
Following the tug-of-war, three popular local characters inspired by Yonabaru’s
specialty products, the Yonabaru Fighter 3 Show, will perform on stage at 6:30 p.m.
Organizers say there’s plenty of parking available, and plenty of excitement to be had.
Information is available from the Yonabaru Festival Steering Committee, (098) 945-
2201, or the Yonabaru Town Society of Commerce and Industry, (098) 945-3513.
To the north, Nago City is hosting the 30th Nago City Mayor’s Cup Dragon Boat
Race, often billed as the national championship of dragon boat races. The race draws
the most entries of all Haari tournaments in Okinawa, with entries coming from
mainland Japan and overseas, as well as Okinawa.
A five-ton rope offers the challenges in Yonabaru this weekend, while muscle power is
also the order of the day at Nago City’s Dragon Boat races.
The two-day Yonabaru Festival begins Saturday with traditional summer music, dance
and plenty of food, while a 400-year tradition is continued Sunday afternoon with a
Tug-of-War. The 26th Annual Yonabaru Tug-of-War is mostly for fun, a far cry from
historical times when residents used the tug-of-war festival to chase the evil spirits
away and to give thanks for bountiful harvests.
While powerful drums pound and bells are rung to stir up the festival crowd, two huge
sections of rope—one male, one female—are tied together, ready for East and West
teams to begin competition. Traditionally, the winning team is said to be set for a year
of good fortune. The 90-meter rope, five tons of straw woven together, is first carried
to the city center for the tug-of-war.
Once over, pieces of rope are hacked away and taken home by participants and
spectators as a sign of good luck Yonabaru residents believe will symbolize business
prosperity, welfare of the household and perfect health in the year ahead. Sponsored
by the Yonabaru Town Society of Commerce and Industry, the tug-of-war is open to
everyone age 20 or older.
People wanting to participate should register at the festival site beginning at 2 p.m.
Sunday. All registered participants will receive Yonabaru Festival original tee shirts
presented by Coca Cola, Orion Beer and Masahiro Awamori, the festival sponsors.
Following the tug-of-war, three popular local characters inspired by Yonabaru’s
specialty products, the Yonabaru Fighter 3 Show, will perform on stage at 6:30 p.m.
Organizers say there’s plenty of parking available, and plenty of excitement to be had.
Information is available from the Yonabaru Festival Steering Committee, (098) 945-
2201, or the Yonabaru Town Society of Commerce and Industry, (098) 945-3513.
To the north, Nago City is hosting the 30th Nago City Mayor’s Cup Dragon Boat
Race, often billed as the national championship of dragon boat races. The race draws
the most entries of all Haari tournaments in Okinawa, with entries coming from
mainland Japan and overseas, as well as Okinawa.
| United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance |
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