It is said that Taira no Kojiro Masakado, the founder of the Soma clan, thought of using horses as a new military force more than 1,000 years ago. Wild horses were released in Koganegahara, Katsushika-gun, Shimousa Province (present-day northwestern Chiba Prefecture) as a military drill to chase and capture the horses as if they were enemy soldiers. The captured horses were presented to the bodhisattva Myoken in a ritual. It is said that this is how the Soma Nomaoi began. Currently, Soma Nomaoi is held over a 3-day period on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at the end of July. A magnificent, gallant scene reminiscent of a Warring-States-period picture scroll unfolds with about 400 armored warriors on horseback wearing long swords on their hips and banners on their backs. A guidebook will be given to people who try on the armor during the Tohoku DC period as part of the Tohoku DC Special Event. Also, during the Soma Nomaoi, armor-wearing experiences will be offered.

A thematic journey in the Tohoku region:Festivals