2010 Schedule

The Naha Giant Tug of War (那覇大綱挽) it is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest rope. -ギネス認定世界一の大綱挽

The 40th Naha Festival on October 9th, 10th, and 11th.

Naha Tug of War on October 10th, 2010
**Kumoji intersection of Route 58

第４０回 那覇まつり – 2010年10月9日, 10日, 11日,

那覇大綱挽 2010年10月10日
**国道58号線久茂地交差点

那覇大綱挽
沖縄
那覇祭り

Tsunahiki (Tog of War) 綱挽き is one of the greatest traditional culture events in an Okinawan festival and is one of the most well-known Okinawan festivels throughout the world. Around this time in Okinawa you can see many different people from all over the world in the small tropical paradise island of Okinawa.

This festival is celebrated throughout  Okinawa, but the most famous celebration takes place in;

“Naha Giant Tog of War 那覇大綱挽き” This festival is held once every year around the 10th of October in the city of Naha ( Naha city is capital of Okinawa ). The ceremonial festival in Naha is to pray for the prosperity of

• Parade at on Kokusai Street, Tug-of-war at National Highway 58.
  Standards of Rope : Length of Female=100m0 Length of Male=100m Weight=43t,
  Rope for pull=Length-7m / Total number of the rope =280,
  Number of audience : 280,000 people (15000 people can pull)

  Location Map: Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa, More information by Naha Giant Tog of War

• “Itoman Great Tug of War 糸満大綱引“  This festival is held once every year around the 15th lunar month of August in Shiozaki town, Itoman city ( Shiozaki town is know as the fishermen town ). The last event was held on September 14th, 2008. Itoman Great Tug of War Inquiry : Itoman City Office, Location Map : Itoman City

• “Yonabaru Tug of War　与那原大綱曳“  This festival is held once every year around the 2nd or 3rd day of August in Yonabaru town.”Yonabaru Tug-of-War” continuing on for nearly 400 years. Yonabaru Tug of war Inquiry :　Yonabaru Official Site-Yonabaru Tug of war,　Location Map : Yonabaru town

These festivals are  held once every year around end of Summer. A possible origin of the festival occurred about one hundred years ago when a plague of locusts descended on the rice fields and put the years harvest in danger. The farmers waved banners, hit drums, and rang bells all through the night and the insects miraculously departed the next day. This incident is reenacted in the festival ever year. The centerpiece of the festival is the tug of war where two ropes are carried into the center of the village and are joined together dividing  the East and the West. The Villagers are cheered on by the onlookers as they heave at the rope. The winning side is supposed to receive good luck from the gods, but the tug of war often ends in a tie in the hope that good luck will then be granted to both sides. This is a ceremonial festival that prays to the gods for a good, plentiful year and for plenty of rain.

**After the tug-of-war is over, don’t forget to take home the pieces of the rope that is believed to bring good luck for the rest of the year.

“Naha Giant Tog of War 那覇大綱挽き”

The 38th Naha Giant Tug of War (那覇大綱挽) October 2008

Measuring 200m (656 feet) in length, and weighing more than 40 metric tons
(44 Amer. tons, 39 long tons)

Guinness Book of World Records

那覇大綱挽

1st time : On 6th of September in 1995, this is recognized as the biggest rope in the world made by rice straw.

2nd time :In 1997, the rope used as the 27th tag-of-war is renewed.
Length 　＝　186ｍ　　　　Weight ＝　40,220kg
Diameter 　＝ 1m58cm　　Rope for pulling = 236 ropes
Number of people for pulling = 15,000 people   Audience = 270,000 spectators

More videos…

那覇大綱挽き 2008 The Naha ō tsunahiki (Naha Giant Tug of War Festival)

The 33th Naha Giant Tug of War (那覇大綱挽)

Naha Tug of War on October 11th, 2009
**Kumoji intersection of Route 58

那覇大綱挽 2009年10月11日
**国道58号線久茂地交差点