Omi no Take no Karakai (Omi Bamboo Tug-of-War)

About this event

'Omi no Take no Karakai' is a Little New Year (Koshogatsu) event held annually on January 15 in the Omi district of Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, comprising a series of traditional rituals alongside Sai-no-Kami burning. Said to have continued since the Edo period, it is counted among the four national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties in the city. The greatest highlight of this event is the powerful spectacle of young men with kabuki-style kumadori face paint, divided into east and west town teams, engaging in a tug-of-war with two green bamboos (Isami-dake and Awase-dake). The side whose bamboo is pulled away, broken, or split loses, and wishes for a bountiful harvest and good catch are bestowed upon the winner. Originating from folk beliefs, this event prays for abundant grain harvests, warding off disasters, inviting good fortune, and family safety. Currently, the Omi district is said to be the only place in Japan where this format of the event remains, making it a valuable cultural experience due to its rarity.

Venue

Omi

Omi, Itoigawa, Niigata 949-0305