The "Naha Great Tug of War", which has a history of over 500 years, was held in Naha City on the 9th for the first time in three years, but there was an accident that the rope broke while moving, resulting in a draw.
The Great Naha Tug-of-War was temporarily suspended due to the effects of the war, but it is still held every year around October 10th to coincide with the date of the air raids that wreaked havoc on Naha in hopes of peace. I'm here.
This year, the number of participants was reduced for the first time in three years, and about 3,200 rope pullers gathered.
There was an accident in which the west rope broke in the middle of the road as they were moving the venue along the national highway in an attempt to connect the rope, which is 160 meters in length from east to west and weighs about 20 tons. did.
The organizer decided that if the tug-of-war were to be pulled as it was, there would be a risk of injury, so instead of holding a tug-of-war, it would be a draw between the East and the West.
After this, the participants danced the traditional Okinawan kachashi, thanked them for their preparations, and enjoyed the tug-of-war for the first time in three years.
A mother in her 40s from Naha City who helped move the rope said, "It was a disappointing experience, but it was a valuable experience."
A 7-year-old girl said, "It was heavy, but it was fun. I wanted to do more."
The chairman of the Naha Great Tug-of-War Preservation Society, Morimasa Goya, said, "It wasn't 'Chimudon' until the end, but it was chilly. It was the first time in three years that we had a good event."