IHI Soma Works Employees Participate in Traditional Horse Event
On 25 and 26 May, employees of IHI’s Soma Works participated in Soma Nomaoi. Soma Nomaoi is the traditional event with a history of more than 1000 years held in the Soso region of Fukushima Prefecture. The event is said to have started when Taira no Masakado who is believed to be the ancestor of the Soma Nakamura clan, released wild horses in Shimousa, now the city of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture. He used them to represent enemy soldiers in military exercises. Today, the event is held as the Shinto ritual to pray for peace and tranquility across the Soso region.
Soma Nomaoi used to be held at the end of July, but the organizers brought it forward to the end of May from this year to avoid the heat. The first day featured a ceremony at Nakamura Shrine, where Toshitane Soma (see note), who had been the chief commander for the previous three years, instructed cavalrymen to march with dignity and return safely. Each year, the headquarters representative of the IHI Soma Works marches as one of these warriors, playing the vital role of guarding the front and back of the Nakamura Shrine’s portable shrine, dressed as a brave warrior. After receiving the instructions, the cavalrymen marched to the Hibarigahara festival site in Minamisoma City.
- Note:Toshitane Soma is the grandson of Kazutane Soma, the 33rd head of the Soma Nakamura clan, who were feudal lords of Soma. The family founder was Morotsune, a military commander during the late Heian period. In 1323, the family moved from Shimosa in the north of Chiba Prefecture to the Soso region. The family retained its territory until the Edo period.
A total of 163 IHI Group employees took part in the cavalcade. They included young personnel, new managers, group leaders, key new workers, and recreation leaders, as well as people from IHI Jet Service and IHI Castings. Their roles included carrying the portable shrine, functioning as the four gods who guard its corners, serving as worshippers, and parading through the streets.
On the second day, around 380 cavalrymen and IHI Group employees joined a procession through the town toward the Hibarigahara festival destination. There, it was announced that young men from the IHI Group would carry the portable shrine up the long hill. With applause from onlookers and support from Nakamura Shrine, the team completed its task successfully.
Employees thoroughly enjoyed participating in the event. One considered it an opportunity to reengage with Soma’s traditions. Another found it valuable to finally take part in an event that the person had watched since childhood. An additional positive takeaway was being able to affirm connections with the community through Shinto rituals.
The IHI Soma Works will maintain its involvement in Soma Nomaoi, as part of its commitment to good corporate citizenship.
