AIZU-BANGE'S ANNUAL TUG-OF-WAR

Every January 14th the strong of spirit in Aizu-Bange assemble before the town hall for a test of physical strength and stamina. Clad only in loin cloth, local men brave the freezing temperatures to compete in a tug-of-war style contest known as the Otawarahiki.Aizu-Bange is a small town in the middle of Fukushima's Aizu basin that hosts many visitors from around the prefecture and around the country for its unusual Otawarahiki Festival. The history of this traditional celebration dates back to the time of a feudal lord, or Daimyo, by the name of Gamou, who was head of the Aizu clan from 1606-1627.

The original purpose of the festival was to demonstrate devotion to the gods inhabiting the market that was held twice a month on the same spot as the annual tug-of-war. Before the first market day of every year, traditionally the fourteenth of January, Aizu-Bange's men would prove their devotion to these gods by stripping down to nothing but their Shitaobi (loincloth) and headbands before joining in the competition.So on Hatsu-ichi or "first market" day, men from the ages of 15 to 65 representing either the East and wearing red, or the West, wearing white, meet in the middle of town.
Tradition holds that if the East side wins, the price of rice will increase and if the West wins, there will be a good harvest. Since the first years of the festival, guests from other areas, such as Samurai from the nearby castle city of Aizu-Wakamatsu, would travel to join in the spectacle and shout encouragement to the opposing teams.

Complicating the actual tug of war itself is the existence of a huge straw cylinder, known as a Tawara, between the opposing sides. Tawara are straw containers that have long been used for storage or transport of rice, potatoes, charcoal and so forth. The Tawara used in the annual festival, however, is much larger than those that were used to bring goods to the local market, weighing in at over three tons. In fact, Otawarahiki could be directly translated as "Big Tawara pull".This year's events got underway in the early afternoon as some local students competed against each other before quickly fleeing to change into warmer clothes. Later in the day, and fortified against the cold with some Aizu sake, the team representing the East was able to overpower their opponents in the main event. The final happening of the day was the scattering of small gifts and mini-Tawara into crowds of onlookers.

Those wishing to participate in the annual tug of war are allowed to join in if they apply by December 25th. Be forewarned, however, that donning the traditional garb of Aizu-Bange's Otawarahiki will be a chilling experience!