Children and the elderly participated in the first karate training at Iwadatami in Nagatoro Town, Saitama Prefecture, which is known for its scenic beauty.
Every year, the karate sports boy group in Nagatoro Town holds New Year's training in Arakawa on the 2nd of the New Year, and this year more than 50 people from 4 to 72 years old gathered.
After concentrating their minds, the children sat on the scenic spot of Iwadatami, where the rocks spread out along the river like a stack of tatami mats, and then practiced punches and kicks.
After that, the children moved to the riverbed and formed pairs, and they were energetically working on kumite practice.
At the end, some participants, such as junior high school students, entered the Arakawa River and performed thrusts while submerged in water up to their waists.
A girl in the second grade of elementary school who participated said, "My feet hurt on stones and gravel, but I did my best. This year, I want to raise the color of my obi with her friends."
Also, a 6-year-old girl said, ``The stone was like ice and it hurt.