For the first time in three years, the traditional Shinto ritual "Underwater Tug-of-War" was held on the canal leading to Wakasa Bay in Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture, to pray for a good catch this year.
"Underwater tug-of-war" is a Shinto ritual that has been handed down in Mihama for about 400 years.
Until now, the event has been postponed due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but this year it was held for the first time in three years.
First, about 10 men in bare clothes jumped into the water one after another from the railing of a 6-meter-tall bridge over the canal.
After swimming to a rope about 40 meters long that was split into two and stretched across the canal, he began to pull the rope about 20 centimeters thick while shouting.
There is a legend that if the rope breaks, the year will be a bountiful year. was being sent.
A local woman who visited said, "It looked cold, but I hope the whole family will be able to live in good health."
Yusei Takada, president of the Hyuga Ward Youth Association, who held the underwater tug-of-war, said, "I want this year to blow away the new coronavirus. I want local young people to participate, and I want to pass on this traditional event." was talking