Wild Horse Chase Festival (野馬追, Soma Nomaoi)

Engraving on thin paper. Unknown date
Good condition (slight tear in the upper right margin)
Paper dimensions: 34 x 46 cm

Description:

真刻: "faithfully engraved / authentically engraved"
相馬: "Soma", a place or a reference to the Soma clan (known in Japan for its equestrian traditions)
妙具: "remarkable instruments / objects"
祭其二: "second of the rites (ritual 2)"
野馬追: "the pursuit of the wild horse" (Yamato-oi, a Japanese tradition)
之圖: "illustration of / image of"

This refers to the festival of the pursuit of wild horses (野馬追, Soma Nomaoi), still celebrated today in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Sōma Nomaoi (相馬野馬追) is a traditional Japanese festival held every summer in the Minamisōma region of Fukushima Prefecture. It is designated an Important Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

Main Rituals
Armored Warriors Parade (出陣式 – Shutsujin-shiki)
Hundreds of participants parade in samurai armor, carrying family banners, as in feudal times.

Horse Race (甲冑競馬 – Kacchū keiba)
A spectacular horse race, with riders in full armor.

Capturing the Sacred Horse (神旗争奪戦 – Shinki-sōdatsusen)
A sacred flag is raised into the sky, and riders compete to capture it, symbolizing the ancient quest for glory and plunder.

Capturing Wild Horses (野馬懸 – Noma-kake)
The culmination of the festival: horses are led to a Shinto shrine and then captured by hand in an enclosure. This is a sacred offering to the gods.