A few years ago I took the kids to Europa Park in Germany and one of the standout events was the jousting tournament. Re-creating history in live shows is a great way of teaching the kids about the past.
- Action on the gee gees
Similarly in Japan, in July you can step back in time with horses and heroes, at the festival of Soma Nomaoi. Held in Fukushima, this is a great festival that lasts for three days.
- Wow - I guess this guy hasnt seen the hairdresser in a while
Visiting Fukushima and the ‘Soma Nomaoi’ Festival is a wonderful way of experiencing a 1,000 year old tradition, which embodies the code of the samurai.
- Tradition, Tradition
This is a photo of mine from 2001 at Europa Park – Take a look at the comparison – Europe and Japan, both with a strong history of ancient armour and horses.
- Jousting Fun in Germany
This tournament in Germany was also a lot of fun to watch – unlike Soma Nomaoi, however, this particular jousting experience is available to observers throughout the year.
Why is the festival in Fukushima called Soma Nomaoi?
The word ‘Soma’ refers to the clan of people in this prefecture. The Soma had a reputation for excellent horses. The word ‘Nomaoi’ refers to the horses – specifically ‘wild horse chasing.’
Take a look at this piece of video from youtube. It gives a great insight into this year’s Soma Nomaoi event.
Thank you flickr and youtube, as well as a great blog posting by samuraidave for information on this festival.
Soma Nomaoi is an event that we will put on our ‘to do’ list for 2010.
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Anyone visited the soma nomaoi festival? – looks like something to schedule for next year http://bit.ly/TPVeR
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @KimonoBox: Anyone visited the soma nomaoi festival? – looks like something to schedule for next year http://bit.ly/TPVeR
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Reading: “Horses and Heroes – Soma Nomaoi | Japan” (http://twitthis.com/3abjl5)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
http://kimonobox.com/2009/08/horses-and-heroes-soma-nomaoi/http://twitthis.com/3abjl5
The 2nd photo I almost thought that was Chewbacca in Samurai Gear! lol 
That Europa park reminds me of what we have here in the states called Medevil Times dinner and tournament. That has jousting and sword fights and the meal you eat with your hands. This is really a great way to re-enact history. On both sides of the pond.
Wow what a great festival to go to.
Watching that video, reminds me of the wild horse round ups that took place during the development of the old west, here in America. And there always seemed to be 1 horse that didn’t want to be roped. This is a great way to see history reinacted ,Japanese style or American.
Hope all of you are okay after that earthquake. What did it feel like to you, seeing I’ve never experienced one before. Shibuya said that there was more coverage one the arrests of the Pop Idol than the earthquake.Well take care, and I wish I was there.
Ja matta ne.
Chewbacca in Samurai – wish I had thought of that one!
This comment was originally posted on kimonobox.com
http://kimonobox.com/2009/08/horses-and-heroes-soma-nomaoi/http://twitthis.com/3abjl5
Wow what a great festival to go to. The 2nd photo I almost thought that was Chewbacca in Samurai Gear! lol That Europa park reminds me of what we have here in the states called Medevil Times dinner and tournament. That has jousting and sword fights and the meal you eat with your hands. This is really a great way to re-enact history. On both sides of the pond.
Watching that video, reminds me of the wild horse round ups that took place during the development of the old west, here in America. And there always seemed to be 1 horse that didn’t want to be roped. This is a great way to see history reinacted ,Japanese style or American.
Hope all of you are okay after that earthquake. What did it feel like to you, seeing I’ve never experienced one before. Shibuya said that there was more coverage one the arrests of the Pop Idol than the earthquake.Well take care, and I wish I was there.
Ja matta ne.
This comment was originally posted on kimonobox.com
Chewbacca in Samurai – wish I had thought of that one!