Get ready for a blast from the past! The historic “Tsukayama Tug of War” is making a grand return this summer after a 21-year hiatus. If you’re up for some cultural excitement and a chance to witness a local tradition like no other, mark your calendars for July 27 and 28! 🗓️
What’s the Tsukayama Tug of War? 🤔
This event isn’t just a festival; it’s a spectacular display of tradition and community spirit! Originating about 500 years ago during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, the Tug of War is a time-honored rope-pulling event that’s part of a larger set of cultural festivities. Although similar events happen every year, this particular one, which usually rolls around every dozen years, has been on a 21-year break—until now!
Event Schedule 📅
July 27 (Saturday)
- 16:00 – Sune’i Procession Begins
Local residents will split into “East” and “West” groups, beat drums and gongs, and carry the historically significant flag towards Tsukayama Elementary School. Expect a lively parade with a lot of clanging and chanting! 🥁 - 17:00 – Tsukayama Tug of War
The main event kicks off at the Tsukayama Elementary School grounds. The ceremonial rope, known as “Ogan Tsuna,” is a massive 50 meters long, but the main attraction, the rope, is a whopping 100 meters! Community members will come together to pull this enormous rope while drummers set the rhythm and traditional songs fill the air. It’s bound to be a thrilling tug-of-war! 💪🔊
July 28 (Sunday)
- Various Events
The fun doesn’t stop! On Sunday, enjoy additional festivities including: - Kanachinuji: The “Kanachi Stick Removal” challenge. Think of it as a playful test of skill and agility. 🏆
- Yamagaki Rope Pulling: Kids get in on the action with their own version of the rope pull. Cute overload guaranteed! 🧒🎀
Photo source: https://tsukazan.com/tsunahiki2024/
Event Details 📍
- Location: Tsukayama Elementary School Grounds, 684 Tsukayama, Haebaru Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture [ Google Maps ]
- Parking: Nanpo Junior High School, 200 Teruya, Haebaru Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture [ Google Maps ]
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, the Tsukayama Tug of War offers a unique glimpse into Okinawa’s rich cultural tapestry. Enjoy the festivities, cheer on the participants, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere! 🌟
Disclaimer
⚠️Disclaimer: Our passion for supporting local businesses drives us to share information about events in the Okinawa area. Please note that Oki Social is not responsible for hosting this event. It’s important to be aware that the event’s host reserves the right to make changes or even cancel the event without prior notice. Some photos and videos may come from various sources on the internet, whether official or unofficial. It is possible that some photos and videos may have been taken from the same event in previous occurrences.
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