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Traditional Samurai Horse Race Draws Huge Crowds in Fukushima

FUKUSHIMA, May 25 (News On Japan) - The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.

These events electrified a crowd of about 35,000 spectators.

This year marked a historic change as the festival eliminated the traditional requirement that female participants be "under 20 and unmarried" in line with gender equality efforts. As a result, female mounted warriors also participated actively, captivating the audience alongside their male counterparts.

Source: Kyodo

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Traditional Samurai Horse Race Draws Huge Crowds in Fukushima

The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.

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