It must be the most passionate festival in Satsumasendai! The tug-of-war is a local traditional event with a history of more than 420 years, and it is designated as an "intangible folk-cultural property" of Kagoshima Prefecture. Yoshihiro Shimadzu, the lord of Satsuma-area in the Sengoku Period, started this tradition in order to boost morale during the Battle of Sekigahara.
Starting in the morning, about 1,500 people, including the Ground Self-Defense Force, the Construction Industry Association, local college and middle school students, and general participants, will spend most of the time weaving a 365-meter-long, 7-ton giant rope! At night, about 3,000 shirtless men called "Hadaka (ハダカ)" will start the tug-of-war. In the central part, there will be a "pushing team (押し隊)" responsible for disturbing the enemy, who will fight with each other hand-to-hand! You may be surprised by the passionate atmosphere if you get close enough!
Event Schedule
※Subject to change depending on the situation
Gallery
Event Information
| Japanese Name | 川内大綱引 |
| Address | 鹿児島県薩摩川内市国道３号 向田側/大小路側 |
| Access | From JR Sendai Station, walk for about 10 minutes towards Mukada, and walk for about 15 minutes to Oshoji. It is recommended to use public transportation to visit Sendai on that day. |
| Tel | 川内大綱引保存會 0996-21-1851(Weekdays 10:00～17:00） |
| Date | The day before the "autumnal equinox" in September every year. Staring from 19:00 ~ |
| Website | https://sendai-ootsuna.jimdofree.com/ |
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