Bange First Market: Eccentric Festival Giant Straw Bale Pulling

About this event

Held every year on January 14 in Aizubange Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Bange Hatsuichi: Eccentric Festival Giant Straw Bale Pulling is an unusual festival boasting more than 400 years of tradition. Centered around the town hall, Kamimachi (East) and Shimomachi (West) divide to pull against each other on a gigantic rice straw bale measuring 2.5 m in height, 4 m in length, and weighing as much as 5 t. This giant bale pulling is said to divine the year's rice market prices, with the tradition stating, If the East wins, the price of rice will rise; if the West wins, there will be a bountiful rice harvest. It is also said that in the past, the winning side earned the right to hold the market. After the bale pulling concludes, the Fuku Mame-dawara Tossing is held from the 2nd floor of the town hall, scattering 365 small straw bales measuring 6 cm in diameter and 10 cm in length (366 in leap years). Those who catch these lucky bean bales are said to enjoy good health throughout that year, and they are regarded as auspicious items. In addition, items like mikan mandarins containing 5-yen coins are also tossed, making it a New Year celebration praying for good harvests, family safety, business prosperity, and other blessings. Bale pullers are recruited from the general public, attracting many individual participants including those from far away. There is also a saying that participating as a puller keeps one healthy and free from catching colds for the remainder of the year.

Venue

Jitsugetsu Shrine

3377-4 Ko, Koyashiki Komyoji-higashi, Aizu-bange-machi, Kawanuma-gun, Fukushima 969-6542