Test of mortal strength

By Shinobu Miwa

A local playing the role of a sumo wrestler pits himself against an invisible rice god while a referee, also played by a local resident, watches during an annual festival at Oyamazumi Shrine in Omishimacho, Ehime Prefecture.

The Daily Yomiuri

Oyamazumi Shrine in Omishimacho, Ehime Prefecture, is noted for a unique annual ritual held in June — one-man sumo wrestling.

Located in the central Inland Sea, the shrine is located in an island town that is home to many national treasures and important cultural assets, including armor and swords.

The June festival is held after rice-planting is completed to pray for an abundant crop. The festivities are divided into two parts. The first consists of rice-planting rituals conducted by saotome — a traditional epithet for women who plant seedlings into paddies. The second is one-man sumo wrestling, in which a wrestler competes with the god of rice.

The wrestler, played by a local resident, pits himself against the invisible god in the ritual, during which the wrestler pretends to grasp the belt of his divine opponent and push and pull him. A referee, also played by a local, holding an umpire's fan solemnly observes the match calling out, "Nokotta, nokotta (Hang in there)."

Three bouts are held, but the god always defeats the wrestler with a 2-1 win. The god's victory is believed among locals to guarantee a good harvest.