Coronavirus: Itoman Hare cancelled but the gong rings through the fishing village at dawn

Coronavirus: Itoman Hare cancelled but the gong rings through the fishing village at dawn

Praying for safety at sea and an end to the coronavirus, Hiroshi Higashionna, chair of the Hare Committee, rang the gong. The Itoman Hare Dragon Boat Races have been canceled this year. (Around 5 a.m. on June 18, Santinmo in Itoman, Itoman City)


June 18, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Itoman – At approximately 5 a.m. on June 18, the ringing of the gong that signals the coming of Itoman Hare Dragon Boat Race season was held at Santinmo in Itoman, Itoman City. Around ten citizens had gathered to watch over the event and pray for safety of fishers at sea and an end to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As night ended and the sky began to lighten, the sound of the gong rang through the city.

The ringing of the gong is normally held before the Itoman Hare Dragon Boat Races begin on the 4th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar (yukkanuhi; in 2020, June 24). This year, it was decided to cancel the Itoman Hare for the first time since World War II due to the spread of novel coronavirus. However, Hiroshi Higashionna, chair of the Itoman Hare Committee, said, “We should at least hold the ringing of the gong. We will pray for an end to coronavirus as well.” Because of his strong feelings that the gong should be rung, the event was held this year.

Higashionna hit the gong this year, clad in the green hare gin (traditional outfit) for Nakamura, from among the three villages of Nishimura, Nakamura, and Niijima. He addressed the onlookers. “With deep gratitude for the blessings of the sea, and with prayers for safety at sea and at home, and for the soonest possible end of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. He quietly steadied his breath and then powerfully rang the gong, five times in each of the four cardinal directions.

After ringing the gong, Higashionna also performed the sanchin from karate. The onlookers continued to watch as the sound of his breathing and the sliding of his feet across the ground filled the morning air.

(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)

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