NOMI NO SHIOBAKARI

(2020 / 33 minutes / DVD / in Japanese)

Nomi no Shiobakari is a traditional event that has been handed down to the Nomi District of Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture. It is held every year on the day of Koshougatsu (January 14th on the old Japanese calendar). On this day, a group of young local fishermen walk through the district towards the sea carrying a shiobakari, a large bamboo tree with roots. Along the way, they pound the ground with the tree several times. In the end, they erect the tree in the sea and pray for safety and a good fish catch for the year.