Thrilling 700 Year Old Japanese SAMURAI Racing | Soma Nomaoi ★ ONLY in JAPAN

[@覚醒2040]

こんにちは😃 相馬にこんな素晴らしい歴史的な風習を守る「祭り」が、受け継がれていた事、大変感激しました。 いつか、ぜひ見に行きたいです❤

[@うめとおかか]

相馬野馬追は2024年から7月ではなく、5月の最終土・日・月曜日に開催されるよう変更したようです。 あまりの暑さが変更理由のひとつです。 訪れる方はお間違えのないよう気をつけてくださいね。 どなたか、英語でも載せていただけましたら幸いです。

[@mamu1306]

良かったです。馬の心配していましたから、あとどこぞの神社の様な蹴ったり無茶な事をしないようにお願い致しますね。

[@アツ虎]

今年は猛暑過ぎて人もバタバタ倒れるし、暑さで馬も死んだらしい。夏開催は無理よね。

[@ハゼ-r1n]

​@@mamu1306 南相馬の人間ですが他の地域の祭事や他の活動での事案を批判する意図で引合いにされるのは物凄く不快です。

[@31Ikura]

This Soumano uma oi event just changed its date to final Saturday, Sunday Monday of May instead of July from 2024 due to the heat in the summer. If you are planning to visit this event, please aware of the date change.

[@ake9372]

相馬野馬追は、日本の宝です。日本の素晴しい伝統行事を上手に編集して動画にして発信して頂き、感謝します。 世界中の人々に、日本の唯一無二な文化を知ってもらう機会になったと思います。

[@7hopes.]

日本で何十年も生きていますが初めて知りました。こんなカッコいいお祭りなら未来永劫引き継がれますね✨

[@ake9372]

@@7hopes. なかなか、伝統を継承していくのは、大変なことだろうと察しますが、間違いなく、途絶えることなく受け継がれて行くべき祭りです。

[@510ごっちゃん]

両親の出身地の行事です。子供の頃は野馬追の日になると雲雀ケ原に行くお馬が祖母の家の前を通るのでワクワクして見送りました。 今は祖母も両親も住んでいませんがいつか観戦にいきたいです。 ありがとうございました🙏

[@anamarievivero7774]

日本のすごい所の一つですね❣️ 何百年たっても守り続ける物はちゃんと守ってくれてる。 素晴らしいです👍👍👍 これから先様々な事が続けるだろうな。 シェアしていただき有難うございます🙇‍♀️

[@hy-tz4or]

東日本大震災から復活した年に見に行きました。地元の皆さんの熱気が凄かったです。パレードでは色々な色や大きさや体格の馬達がすぐ目の前を通り過ぎて行きました。侍装束だけでなく馬達の飾りも華やかでした。競馬や争奪戦も凄かった。 途中のコンビニでは駐車場に馬が居て、侍装束の人達がおにぎりを買っていました。帰りは途中で渋滞があり、何かと思えば先頭は馬達でした。どうやら馬は軽車両扱いらしいですね(笑)渋滞にハマった人達も「馬なら仕方ないね」という感じで、むしろ珍しいものを見て得した気分になりました。 その時もかなり暑かったですが、今年は更に猛暑でした。来年からは日程変更だそうですね。また見に行きたいと思っています。 地元の皆さんの練習風景なども見れてとても面白い動画でした。ありがとうございました。

[@jarihult]

Looks quite cool event, since 1323 wow😮Those samurai’s armors looked great 😎Thank you for sharing this John🙂👍!!!

[@flourella4538]

I'm a Japanese and a horse rider and I love this festival so much! Other samurai festivals are just a parade after all but they are still living in history.

[@yoshidacap40]

大変興味深く拝見させていただきました。感謝します。 相馬野馬追執行委員会委員長名にて11月3日に、野馬追の開催時期変更の発表がありました。 熱暑が原因と思われる参加した馬の2頭の死亡により、開催時期を5月の最終土日月曜日とする旨。 亡くなった2頭の参加馬のご冥福をお祈りいたします。

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I’m glad they are thinking about the horses and the health of them for the future 🐎❤️ it’s a good decision although I understand how many locals feel too about Soma Nomaoi being the start of the Tohoku summer festival season. Maybe May will have more people coming to watch.

[@lollettealipe9363]

The beauty of Japanese culture is the how passionate the locals are to keep the traditions alive and how they are able to pass it on to the younger generations.❤ This is one of my favorite videos of yours, John.

[@Rostov_red_beard]

this is awesome thank you for covering this John! your videos are first rate. you looked great in samurai armor!

[@ネコにゃん-l5x]

相馬の野馬追は知ってましたが、改めて見ると華やかさ、勇ましさの裏側に歴史と伝統を守る厳しさもあるんですね。 甲冑を着て馬で走るのは危険ですが、合戦に望む男達の生き様を見るような気分です。 甲冑姿、似合ってましたよ、カッコいいです

[@Aiken47]

Thanks John, I could really feel how the senior members knew the importance of transferring not just riding skills but the spirit of the event.

[@onlyinjapan]

Thank you Aiken! There is a responsibility larger than one’s self with this event. Hard to call it a festival, more like a ritual - or maybe something between. It’s that importance in which they take this event that makes it so impressive as well, I couldn’t imagine my great great great great x35 grandfather participating!! 😮

[@hisanobuhasama1196]

非常に良くできた番組です。相馬野馬追をよく知らない日本人も、この番組を見るとよくわかる。現地に行って観戦したくなる。

[@SarelBezuidenhout]

Awesome Video! Its hard to believe that this tradition has been kept for so long. It makes me want to learn more about the Samurai

[@aby8re3ovmabxwx]

こどもの頃から見ています。もっと評価されていいとずっと思ってました。ぜひ一度見てほしい！武士ってこうだったんだーって思います。

[@aby8re3ovmabxwx]

ちな、サムライの方がわかりやすいのかもしれないけどどっちかっていうと武士だよね。

[@CptFitzgerald]

This was mindblowing. Thank you for bringing so much purifying light to us in the midst of other content creators.

[@saltygravy6928]

Thank you for the video. That is an amazing piece of history. I hope it continues far past another 700 years. Beautiful work.

[@annedugan3161]

This was another incredible inside look at a spectacular event. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@sometimeswegoplaces]

The heritage and history on display here is magnificent. Another reason why Japan ranks as such a unique and memorable destination. Thank you for taking us on this historic and cultural journey, John!

[@W4ABN]

This is the kind of thing that I love about Japan. Samurai, the culture, traditions, living history, it's fantastic. This is why I want to learn Japanese and visit some day. Thank you, John, and thanks too to everyone coordinating and participating in the event. I would love to visit some day.

[@鈴木理沙-s5e]

I'm also waiting for you to come😊

[@aryogono6338]

😮 wow 8:48 you even wore the armour in that hot weather. Such commitment to immersion💪🏾👍🏽😉. Another well made video 👏🏾👏🏾

[@onlyinjapan]

Have to go the distance, understand what the participants feel that day. It’s rough for all involved including the horses 🐎 medical staff on site and more safety measures than in the past limits injuries and heat exhaustion but year to year, it can be brutal or paradise.

[@KenshiroPlayDotA]

@@onlyinjapan Can the participants, especially those wearing armor, use some modern solutions to cool themselves ? In the summer for example, I attach a 1.5-liter water reservoir shaped like modern body armor plates between my shirt and my backpack or Camelbak, keeping me cool for at least a couple hours as the water is initially frozen. Another option would be a phase change cooling vest for example.

[@onlyinjapan]

@@KenshiroPlayDotA Great question! I did not see anyone doing that which could have been a choice? I'll ask them when I go back to Soma in January.

[@福島のやまさん]

出陣式を行う中村神社に各地区から乗馬で集まります(地区によっては10km以上) 出陣式後、雲雀ヶ原まで原町区の街中を通って甲冑行列で向かいます 昔は2階の窓から見てようものなら 殿様を見下ろすとは何事だ！ と家の中まで怒鳴り込んで来たと聞いています 昨今の温暖化により5月末に開催日をづらす事に決まりました ちなみに この日は休みにする会社が多いですし この地区から働きに来ている人が休んでも 野馬追いだから仕方ないか と認められてます(笑)

[@デロ甘ニャーコ]

会社によっては会社あげての壮行会が開かれますし出陣祝いと言う特別ボーナスが支給されます😊 出陣祝いを受けた人は肩印と一緒に会社名と「出陣祝い」「祝出陣」「祈武勲達成」「安全祈願」等と書かれた懸賞札を提げます😊その懸賞札も金額によって大きさが変わります😅なので地元の人は懸賞札の大きさを観て何処の会社の応援具合が大きいか分かります😂

[@UFOBobTV]

Thank you for sharing this amazing silce of Japanese culture and history. My favorite part was capturing the wild horses.

[@Jewel1617]

とても綺麗でかっこいい映像でした。 見入っってしまいました。 鎧兜おにあいでしたよ😊 日本人ですがこんなかっこいい行事が行われていたのは知りませんでした。 ありがとうございました。 ぜひ訪れてみたいと思いました。

[@greenchilli6660]

Beautifully filmed, amazing, thank you so much

[@Brandania_moble]

I love this! It's amazing how they've been able to continue to keep this cultural event going and keep the passion alive for generations 🥰. Much Mahalos John for continuing to share amazing stories. Well done 😃

[@kenjiarika]

とても興味深い動画でした。勉強になります！

[@Sjisjeksoso]

日本語の字幕があって良かったです。 相馬の野馬追い凄いですね 本気だもんね

[@ThEShApeOfACiRcLE]

this was totally worth 25 minutes of my day while i did chores i love this channel!!

[@rainerlovesjapan9468]

Great video John. Arigato so much. Love their history. Their traditions. Would love to see more of that. Wearing a real Samurai Armor = Sugoi👍🏻. Youre so lucky.

[@onlyinjapan]

Thank Rainer! I think you could try it on too! The tourism agency is pretty good here, not so many tourists - but to feel the weight of real armor was such an experience! I sort of anted someone to hit me with a sword to see if I could take it but I remembered how sharp they are - maybe a nerf sword?

[@rainerlovesjapan9468]

@@onlyinjapan Oh I love to. Unsharpen Samurai Sword perhaps is safe to hit anybody.

[@justhackerthings]

Hey John! Very cool Video! I've been here since nearly the beginning of your old channel and this video is one of your best! I love it!

[@onlyinjapan]

This makes me so happy to hear, it's been quite a ride for 10 years doing this - made OiJ will continue for 700 years if Leo keeps the torch going - hahaha! There are limitless stories to tell! I put a lot into this video - it's so much bigger than me and I could feel that tradition and history, it felt good to cover it and pass that info along.

[@jkoadventures7401]

Excellent history lesson! It’s beautiful how the Japanese embrace their history and preserve these important and interesting traditions. Thank you for sharing this!

[@360handle]

Great video Mr. Daub

[@Bonchan-r2f]

Thank you for sharing this video. Let me add something here: it has been officially decided that the Soma Nomaoi festival will be held on the last Saturday, Sunday and Monday of May in 2024 to avoid the summer heat. It's no wonder that the organizers try to prevent heat exhaustion or stroke in both participants and horses.

[@xenofalcon]

Thank you John for always showing us these unique sides of Japan. Your quality never faulters.

[@LetsgowithHyro]

Thank you so much for filming and sharing this John. You keep coming up with such amazing stories from Japan. Thank you!

[@patrickoudejans]

Awesome video John. If I'm ever in this region when this event takes place, I'll sure be one of the spectators. I tend to avoid Japan during the summer, but this event and other summer festivals (matsuri), not to mention summer fireworks, may make me change my mind. Greetings from The Hague in the Netherlands!

[@onlyinjapan]

Maybe the festivals is the biggest reason to visit during summer. The longer day are nice too but that heat - it sucks the life outta you. Tohoku has less humidity than Tokyo and Osaka but still ... I miss summer, when winter comes! hahaha I miss the sunshine.

[@rexmays6302]

This was fantastic, thank you so much John from Franklin Indiana.

[@Ellen-z8p]

I love their dedication to preserve tradition. And we can see that these horses get a royal treatment. And these flags look so cool! Loved thw video 😉👌

[@onlyinjapan]

They do, they're VIP or VIH - it's not easy to race in such heat, but not every year is this hot. Seeing the samurai clan flags is quite awesome, makes me feel like being inside a movie's battle scene, inside history!

[@sgrcheiron1998]

16:43 I was simply amazed that he naturally used the term "Ui jin(初陣 - "the first battle")" to mean the first participation of the event. For him, to participate in the ritual means equivalent to go to a war. Man, I have to admire his commitment.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes!! So glad you picked up on that. My first battle! - seriously, participants DO NOT see this as a tourist attraction, which is why it’s so special. It is a battle. When I was there, I felt connected to a part of Japan you don’t feel anywhere else, very surreal - because of this strong connection to ancestors on full display knowing in 100 years from now, I will continue with their ancestors. It is an extraordinarily deep feeling.

[@patrishaharrigan4466]

Ok! Another 'To Attend' event when I go to Japan. And this one is around my Birthday!! As a girl who was raised around horses from a young age and participated in Rodeo this is right up my alley! I really enjoy videos with this kind of traditional content! Thank you so much!

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

I thank you for creating this video about a very long standing tradition. My father's parents were born in Fukashima-ken and my grandmother's family raised horses.

[@黒嵜潤一郎]

日本人にも余り知られていない行事です。祭りには色々あるけど、これが日本の伝統の本質なのでしょう。

[@苺谷香-y4k]

相馬の野馬追、超有名だけど。

[@蜻蛉-w3u]

関東では毎年新聞やニュースになりますが何処の地域までは知られているのかな？

[@couttsw]

Surely one of Johns better mini documentaries. Each one gets better and better John. Which festival is your son going to participate in, do you think?

[@ryansworldofgaming6738]

Great episode John very interesting

[@Autolykos38]

interesting seeing such a old festival in modern times

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Amazing story and cool work. Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@zeroibis]

I went to the Soma Nomaoi in 2019 and it was a great experience!

[@JohnBoyJoy]

amazing! since 1323 in the same spot! way to keep traditions alive wow

[@onlyinjapan]

The challenges to keep it going have been incredible, war, politics, disease and famine. But not once has it been stopped. During the pandemic, they limited it to the ritual and religious aspect, no public racing but it continued - as the museum curator said, they are quite fanatical about it, which makes it quite authentic!

[@kezbot2]

So much history here, 33 generations is mind blowing. Looking dashing too, John!

[@metomyny]

Thank you for introducing Japanese traditional culture. Not only does this event have great historical value, but it is also a place where retired racehorses can once again be active. I hope this event will continue for a long time in terms of animal welfare.

[@Lil-Britches]

John always makes some of the best content. If not peak content on things in Japan. Been following for years now, it's crazy how long I've been a fan. My name used to be Dario.

[@runAwayJapan]

Great topic, John! 😃

[@onlyinjapan]

Thank you Dean! Great to hear from you mate! Love what you’re doing on your channel too, Real Adventure!

[@atenanosaint]

Nice episode!

[@saosound4140]

かっこいいなあ。直近で見たら迫力あるだろうなぁ👍

[@jason_from_canada]

Incredible to think that this event has gone on for 700 years, including during war. Izumikawa-san's stare is very intimidating and to think he was just five when he joined. Thanks for bringing us another great story John. 👍

[@ポコやん-y8p]

みんな超かっこいい

[@007007gf]

Extreme longevity and historical event. Thanks for presenting it. Much appreciate you and PvG's efforts.

[@wameriasakuto193]

相馬ですね。残念ながら帰る時間で見れず、その後はコロナ。見たいですね。

[@魔王-j5o]

馬追や流鏑馬ニュースで２.３分の動画はみたことあったがこんなにも かっこいいものだったのは知らなかった ありがとうございます

[@retropalooza]

Nice job John. Perfect

[@GO-nv6xd]

2:29 Real samurai face

[@XjfksmpMuX]

This festival used to be held in July but it will change the date of the festival and it will be in May to avoid the cruel summer(last time, a horse died in the heat)

[@sasha71001]

Superb episode! This is why I love your channel. Great work John. I would love to attend this event in the future. I just read in the newspapers that officials (due to the heatwave and heat toll on the competitors, attendees and horses) are considering modifying the dates of the event. Do you have more news about it? Thank you for sharing this.

[@カプすけ-t8v]

震災前と震災後に2回行ってますが迫力ありますね。 見てる方も暑すぎてバテちゃいますし、馬の方も亡くなってしまうので来年は5月開催らしいですよ！ 又久々に行きたいと思います😊

[@Boomdizzle99]

Loved this! Thank you

[@TatsunaIikase]

相馬野馬追は聞いたことあったけど実際に見るのは初めて すげえ

[@stacyscooby8488]

this is so amazing wow mind blown thank you John for showing us . wow I am learning a lot of this amazing history .

[@wardgirl1986]

I'm kind of a branched out descendant of this clan on my mother's side, which is her maiden family name. So nice to see this.

[@morrymorrycat]

Summer in Japan is very hot. At this year's festival, a horse died of heat stroke. So the festival will be changed to May in 2024. If you are coming to see the festival, please check the date of the festival.

[@onlyinjapan]

They will decide in November if they change the date. 2 horses are reported and it was much hotter than usual. The change will certainly be welcome by the horses! It’s hard to move 700 years of history on a date so we’re all awaiting the announcement!

[@eri-c3h]

They changed the date from from July to May starting this year :)

[@riekoide4121]

Hello, nice you meet you. Thank you this good youtube, after I found this, I sent it to my friend who was an old horse jockey un Cavalier a Siena in Italia. I'm too, not use Hours but my great grand Mother marriged from Samurai Family in Mito.

[@IceCream-hp7mm]

This all seems like a lot of fun to experience even with the heat.

[@jonstabilog]

Omg, I was actually at the festival and was watching the races as well, but never did I expect you to be there as well! Definitely regretted not paying more attention to my surroundings, would've been an even more memorable experience if I could've watched you in your element! I will blame it on the blistering weather though, spent at least 4-5hours under the hot sun and felt so dehydrated after, despite downing at least 2L of pocari sweat 🤣 Races aside, the parade before the races along the streets towards the racing course was amazing too! Would also like to mention, compared to other Tohoku summer festivals i went on this trip, the Soma Nomaoi festival was the only one which I did not notice any foreign tourists. So it’s great that you covered this event to increase awareness, albeit a pity that people missed the 700th year anniversary 😢

[@onlyinjapan]

It was SO HOT!! I came prepared but I still was burned and dehydrated. Not a lot of attention to this festival and I’m glad to have been able to get media access to bring the story and show the inner workings a little. When you know the history, it’s an extraordinary event! Just bring a lot of water or POCARI sweat!

[@jonstabilog]

@@onlyinjapan The heat was unreal! I had to leave early because my body just couldn't take being under the hot sun any longer! Thank goodness the remaining festivals after this were a lot less brutal! Or it could be that this festival conditioned me for the remaining ones! I tried going through all my footages/photos but could not spot you sadly (I was seated quite high up)... Did you cover any other Tohoku festivals or is it confidential for now? 😄

[@akaneharumama]

いつか見に行きたい もう何年もそう思ってますがいつか行きたいところの一つです

[@miisabino2487]

恥ずかしながら、このような素晴らしい伝統行事があることをこの齢に至るまで知りませんでした😔

[@Del-Lebo]

Amazing and wonderful history and culture! Well done as always.

[@thecraigs8909]

Another fascinating and well researched story John 😊

[@victoryutube4329]

Amazing!

[@JarmanInternational]

The colors and the pride. I love it!

[@onlyinjapan]

You can feel the history and soul of Japan here, such an amazing festival ٩(^‿^)۶ thanks Ruthie!

[@alilicollection]

The amount of awesome things you keep adding for me to go see in Japan is simply unsustainable

[@onlyinjapan]

Ive got so much more but and will keep you traveling :)

[@HawaiiJapan808]

Wow amazing. What cool history.

[@JimMendenhall]

John, you look so incredibly epic in that outfit!

[@fadeone415]

I would take another trip to japan just for this.

[@onlyinjapan]

Please do! Not many tourists - you'd be very welcomed.

[@josephyeungphotography]

Love it! The best documentary yet from what you've done so far🤩. I would love to see it in person one of these days, but traveling time to the area seems to be quite long, and there aren't too many hotels around the area. Maybe that helps to make it less crowded and keep the event more manageable.

[@Aintnobodygottimetodomath]

You can stay in Sendai, 1 hour away and take the first train to the spot I guess

[@sasurai-g3k]

Thank you, John! Awesome video. If you have a chance, please go to Kurobe Dam in Toyama Prefecture.

[@onlyinjapan]

We did 2 years ago :) but on my second channel: kzbin.infohlNwfTE--kE?si=nyNN28pde6XsQ9Yb

[@IronLion8851]

As someone who is wanting to go to Japan someday, this will be very interesting to see in person. Don't laugh but unfortunately a month ago I figured out I'm allergic to horses bad enough to where I had to use an EpiPen. Anyway, love your videos and your content.

[@onlyinjapan]

If you sit on the hill, you might be okay - even in event day, it’s very hard to get close to them anyway. No laughing 😉 thanks for watching ٩(^‿^)۶

[@スカシレコクサモナカ]

私は日本人ですが知りませんでした。教えてくれてありがとう👍 現在、甲冑に興味があり手作りに挑戦中です。 I'm Japanese and didn't know. Thank you for letting me know 👍 Currently, I am interested in armor and am trying to make it by hand.

[@Maleka808]

Hi John, my aunty used to live in Minamisoma just a few miles away from the Soma Nomaoi site, but I didn't know about this festival. So thank you for making this and sharing it with everyone. By the way, my grandparents are originally from Fukushima. They immigrated to Hawaii and gave birth to many children there. Not sure exactly the reason, but they sent my aunty and one of my uncles (they were still kids at the time) to Japan...this was just before WWII. They both were stuck there when the WWII started. She eventually got married and they settled in Minamisoma.

[@TorToroPorco]

Super camera work and production by John. Here all we have are rodeos and Chuck wagon races.

[@禰子-e5n]

早朝、海岸での早駆けも素晴らしいですね。相馬は多くの競走馬が引退した後の受け入れ先でもあります。 日本古来の馬が希少種になっているため。 神事のすべてを見せてくれてありがとうございます。

[@強欲で強欲な壺-4drawcard]

形を変えてずっと続いている大切な伝統行事 引退した競走馬の新たな舞台でもあり、いろいろな観点から見ても素晴らしい事です

[@SaPekkarinen]

i would love to go see that festival

[@Arnold_X3]

Captivating!! Been your viewer since the early days.. BTW, you should add "Soma Nomaoi" to the Video title..cuz right now it doesn't come up in a search.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Thank you! It’s been tagged with Soma Nomaoi and it won’t show up for a while until it’s archived by KZbin. Video is just 2 days old 😅 I’ll see how it does then change things a bit.

[@akhirpekan123]

oji-chan looks like the samurai from Tom Cruise's The Last Samurai, the one guarding tom cruise in the village..

[@onlyinjapan]

Izumikawa-san has a heat of gold but wow - he looks the part!

[@有村秀章]

日本人が世界最強の戦闘民族であった時代の人々。これは単なる行事ではなく神事である。

[@tensyu6268]

私の故郷を紹介していただきありがとうございます！

[@silluete]

The betting scene must be wild.

[@simoncraig4052]

A samurai stare !!

[@sneakernshirt660]

Never look down. People look down when they are scared. Dont look around. Samurai dont look around.

[@onlyinjapan]

The advice Izumikawa-san has is incredible! Passed down for so many generations. “Don’t looks around” … that my job! I’d never make it as samurai 😂