Nettei Sumo

About this event

'Nettei Sumo,' held at Mizutani Shrine in Okukomeji, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a Shinto sumo ritual said to have been performed as an imperial court ceremony since the Heian period. Stamping one's feet (shiko) is said to quell evil spirits. After two dancers dressed in blue ceremonial kamishimo perform a series of movements with wooden swords (kidachi), sumo wrestling is dedicated. Stripped to the waist, participants stamp their feet to firm the earth while shouting 'Yoi, yoi, yoi' and lower their hands to calm turbulent cosmic energies. Afterward, they grapple each other by the neck and divine the harvest's success based on whether they can jump up three times and return to their original positions; it is a precious folk performing art considered a prototype of modern sumo. In this region, repeating something many times is called 'nette, nette,' and the name 'Nettei Sumo' is said to have originated from the repetitive foot-stamping in the sumo movements. This traditional event is designated as a Nationally Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property and a Prefectural Cultural Property, faithfully preserved by local residents.

Venue

Mizutani Shrine

235 Okukomeji, Yabu, Hyogo 667-0121