0019 Tug-of-War, Naha, Okinawa, Japan
A photo of me sitting inside one of the two pieces of rope used for the annual Naha Tug-of-war in 2004. I pulled for the west side, because that was where I was standing, and the west won.
The Naha Tug of war (那覇大綱挽) is an event at the annual festival held in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Its roots may be traced back to the 17th century. Held on Route 58, it is a battle between the East and West teams. This correlates with the competition between two rulers in the Naha area in days of old. The main rope, over two meters in diameter, has many of smaller diameter, but very long ropes extending from it, and the participants pull these during the contest. The contest lasts 30 minutes and the challenge is to pull the other team a total of 15 meters. If neither side pulls the other the 15 meters, whichever side has pulled the other the furthest wins. The rope used in the event – 200 meters long, 156 cms in diameter, weighing 43 tons is made from harvested rice straw. The rope is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest rope. Naha giant tug -of -war is the greatest traditional cultural event in Okinawa is to pray for the prosperity of Okinawa, and to wish for the good health of all people. After the end of the contest, everyone cuts off a piece of the rope. The custom, Okinawans say, is that the families of those who cut off and take home a piece of the rope will find happiness and be in good health for the year — a custom that also may explain why the pulling ropes are replaced every year.
0019 Tug-of-War, Naha, Okinawa, Japan
A photo of me sitting inside one of the two pieces of rope used for the annual Naha Tug-of-war in 2004. I pulled for the west side, because that was where I was standing, and the west won.
The Naha Tug of war (那覇大綱挽) is an event at the annual festival held in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Its roots may be traced back to the 17th century. Held on Route 58, it is a battle between the East and West teams. This correlates with the competition between two rulers in the Naha area in days of old. The main rope, over two meters in diameter, has many of smaller diameter, but very long ropes extending from it, and the participants pull these during the contest. The contest lasts 30 minutes and the challenge is to pull the other team a total of 15 meters. If neither side pulls the other the 15 meters, whichever side has pulled the other the furthest wins. The rope used in the event – 200 meters long, 156 cms in diameter, weighing 43 tons is made from harvested rice straw. The rope is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest rope. Naha giant tug -of -war is the greatest traditional cultural event in Okinawa is to pray for the prosperity of Okinawa, and to wish for the good health of all people. After the end of the contest, everyone cuts off a piece of the rope. The custom, Okinawans say, is that the families of those who cut off and take home a piece of the rope will find happiness and be in good health for the year — a custom that also may explain why the pulling ropes are replaced every year.