A Big Game in every 6th Year (Motobu cho/Tug of War in Toguchi)

One of the highlights of 『Toguchi District Big Tug of War』
is a performance by the players called Junee in Okinawa.
 The players walk around the area with unique performance and also a
competition called Gaeh in Okinawa is worth watching.
 Both are shown in prior to the Tug of War.

Toguchi District is located in Motobu cho, North of Okinawa main island.
This is a central area of Motobu cho and there is a Market (called Machigua in Okinawa)
 and Fishing Port.

There is a Big Tug of War Festival held in every 6^th year.
2014 was the year and 『Toguchi District Big Tug of War』
 was held on September 21 around Toguchi Kaiyo Road (post office street in Toguchi).



One of the highlights of 『Toguchi District Big Tug of War』
is a performance by the players called Junee in Okinawa.
 The players walk around the area with unique performance and also a
competition called Gaeh in Okinawa is worth watching.
 Both are shown in prior to the Tug of War.



The Street Junee starts at 14:00.
The players start walking from the West and the East praying spots
(Holy spots for local people)
respectively to the main place of Toguchi Kaiyo Road.

The West(called Iri) and the East(called Agari)
 teams make small groups with some 10 people and walk around the area
 by showing a various performance.



The Street Junee ends at the East praying spot and Tug of War is held
on the street next to this.(in a back street of Toguchi Kaigan Road)



The Tug of War will not start yet.
Another highlight called Gaeh starts at 17:00.
Gaeh is a Shitaku (preparation) for competition.


 

In Shitaku (preparation), The West and the East team lift a historical hero respectively on 4
 and a half Tatami mat sized carriage.

In Toguchi, the West team lifts Benkei and the East team lifts Ushiwakamaru.
2 Heroes stare face to face with excitement,
 then 2 Heroes encourage the people who pull the carriage and excite the audience.



After that, Male Rope of the East and Female Rope of
the West are brought closer and a big pole called
Kanuchi Bou is inserted to connect the two Ropes.  

The main event yet to start.
The Calls by supporters of the East and the West rally.



The players enthusiasm goes to the peak and a sign for the start rings at 18:00 sharp when all
the players start to pull the Rope the best they can.

However, how hard each player pulls the Rope, it will not move easily.
They need to make their powers in one to move the Big Rope.
This might be the very important factor for a victory.

The Tug of War is played by the local residents but tourists who came to see
the game can also join if they wish. The mind of accepting tourists is wonderful.   

The West team won this year.
It is said that the victory of the East team will bring a good haul of fish,
however, the experience of doing one thing altogether might be the real harvest to them. 

Why don't you come and see Motobu cho ? although the next Festival will be held in 6 years. 
You would be able to enjoy meeting with people and discover many things in a local journey.
Hope you have a nice trip!




Okinawa CLIP Photo writer by Hiroshi Kuwamura (KUWA)