Unusual Experiences in Okinawa: Itoman Hare and Catching Ducks at the Fishing Port.
Itoman is a popular area for tourists who want to feel the atmosphere of old-fashioned Okinawa. In Okinawan fishing towns, events from the lunar calendar are a part of everyday life. Itoman is especially so. Every year, Itomanchu (natives of Itoman) hold annual prayer events to the local deity “Hakugindo”.
One of the most popular events is the “Itoman Hare.”
Itoman Hare, beloved amongst Okinawa enthusiasts, is held every year on the third and fourth day of the fifth lunar month (the main event is held on the fourth). It is a festival by Itomanchu and for Itomanchu.
This article focuses on Itoman Hare, which I recommend to travelers who wish to really get into the spirit of Okinawa. I hope you find it informative.
Unique Experiences in Okinawa
Itoman Hare and the Duck Catching Competition at the Fishing Port
Itoman Hare is held on the fourth day on the fifth lunar month
The Hare of Itoman is an event dedicated to a local deity “Hakugindo” and observed according to the lunar calendar. The event is held on “Yukkanuhi,” the day of prayer to the sea god.
[Unique Experiences in Okinawa: “Umigami-matsuri” is held on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month.] Yukkanuhi (the fourth day on the fifth lunar month) is a day with two celebrations: Childrens’s Day and Sea God Festival (Umigami-matsuri). Families make offerings of traditional Okinawan snacks, such as “chinpin” or “poh-poh” to Hinukan (the fire god*) and the Buddhist altar.When you’re on a long Okinawa trip, you can stay in the Itoman area. By getting to know the locals, you’ll be able to enjoy the Itoman Hare much more.
Tradition has it they practicing Itoman Hare on the 27th day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar, when the bell rings in the Itoman observatory “Santeinmo.”
If you stay in Okinawa around that time, you can probably see people practicing Hare at a nearby fishing port.
(*) Hinukan (the fire god) is a deity worshipped in Okinawan kitchens.
The Climax of Itoman Hare! Kunnukase and Agaisuupu
The Itoman Hare race takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The main event of the Itoman Hare is “Kunnukase”, which starts around 2:00 p.m. every year, and includes Agaisuupu, which is the final competition.
This is a serious competition with crack rowers from three different Itoman villages! The winner of Agaisuupu devotes their victory to the “Hakugindo,” the god of Itoman.
[Unique Okinawa Experience: Kunnukase and Agaisuupu](1) Kunnukase
When a signal is given during the competition, competitors purposely capsize their sabani boats! They must deliberately flip their sabani over, then quickly right them and set off.
(2) Agaisuupu
With the best oarsmen from three areas of Itoman competing, this Hare is arguably much faster than others. This race is the climax of the event, starting around 3:00 p.m.
*The other races require only one round-trip, but the Agaisuupu takes three trips! Once you join the race, you’ll see how tough it is.
These two competitions are the main events that travelers must see, but in between them, there are various other competitions among teams are going on.
On the third day on the fifth lunar month, the “Boys and Girls Hare Competition” is held every year. Kids from Itoman compete, which is fun to see as well.
[Unique Okinawa Experience: Itoman Hare Program]Itoman Hare is staged from 9:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. It starts with a ceremonial Hare called “ugan baaree” to pray to the sea god.
Ugan baaree: A ceremonial Hare to pray to the sea god of Itoman for good fishing and safe voyages.
Shokuiki Hare: Hare teams from local companies and schools compete in a tournament.
Seinen Hare: Hare race comprised of teens.
Junior high school Hare: Hare race made up of junior high school students.
High school Hare: Three high schools in Itoman compete against each other.
Munchu Hare: Twelve monchu(*1) in Itoman compete against each other. Races are held on the eve of the festival, which is how the top three teams to sail in the main event are selected.
And, of course, there is the “Kunnukase” and “Agaisuupu” that were mentioned earlier.
The main Hare is a serious competition amongst the uminchu (fishermen) of Itoman, but there is also a race called the “Shokuiki” Hare with competitors from local companies and schools.
You may become friends with the locals and might even be invited to practice Hare with them, you never know! (Please note that the Itoman Hare is a competition for locals, so no promises can be made about joining yourself.)
*1 Monchu: is a group of paternal blood relatives. Many monchu share graves, and “Kouchibara-monchu” and “Akahigibara-monchu” are famous graves in Okinawa.
Duck Catching Competition. You can participate even on the day without prior registration!
When seeing exotic and exciting Okinawan events, some of you might not be completely satisfied with merely watching.
A lot of stalls are open during the festival to help you enjoy the atmosphere of Itoman. However, as you see the races starting one after another, you might be tantalized and tempted to participate yourself.
If you’re looking for such a hands-on experience, how about taking part in the “Duck Catching Competition.”
[Unique Experiences in Okinawa: Participate in the Duck Catching Competition!]During the lunch break, the “Duck Catching Competition” is held!
Live ducks, watermelons, and mozuku seaweed are thrown into the sea of the Itoman Fishing Port. It’s free to jump in to win prizes such as ducks, watermelons, and mozuku.
(However, there is no foothold in the fishing port, so this competition is not recommended for those who aren’t strong swimmers.)
If you catch a duck, you’ll be showered with applause! Ducks can be given back, so why noy give it a try?
What do you think? In this article, we’ve gone over the Itoman Hare, which I recommend to travelers who want to enjoy the atmosphere of old-fashioned Itoman.
Naha Haarii (the Hare of Naha city) is by far the most popular event amongst tourists, but in fact, Hare tournaments (or haarii, depending on the district) are held in various fishing villages outside of Itoman as well, in order to pray for big catches and safe voyages.
We also recommend the “Ou-jima Haarii” held on the island of Ou-jima, and the “Minatogawa Hare,” which includes a sumo tournament.
Hare is usually held on “Yukkanuhi,” the fourth day on the fifth lunar month, but sometimes it is held on the Saturday or Sunday of the same week, so you can visit different Hare during this period.
Join the Itoman Hare and Explore Hidden Okinawa!
– The festival is held from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. on the fourth day on the fifth lunar month.
– The venue is Nakachiku in the Itoman Fishing Port.
– Kunnukase and Agaisuupu are the main events.
– Ugan baaree, a ceremonial race at the beginning, is also fun to watch.
– If you want to participate in an event, you can join the Duck Capturing Competition!
