On February 8^th, 2025, a festival known as the All-Japan Nohadate no Tsudoi was held in the Isawa area of Oshu, Iwate. Featuring a rope-braiding championship, traditional performing arts, fireworks, and similar, it’s a regular event in this region: one that brings a bright spot into the cold and darkness of a winter that can feel as if it’s been going on forever.

This large rice bale is an important part of the event.

At this point, I’d like to tell you to come and enjoy this festival when you come to Iwate in the winter. Unfortunately though, as of this year Nohadate no Tsudoi has come to an end: it will no longer be celebrated. But that doesn’t mean that the festival will become a forgotten part of the past. In this article, I’d like to talk about what happens when the curtain falls on traditional Japanese festivals, and what new adaptations can come in their wake.

About Nohadate no Tsudoi
Nohadate no Tsudoi is a festival in midwinter to wish for bountiful harvests and safe farm work in the new year. To explain the name, “nohadate” refers to the ceremonial first day of farming in the new year, and “tsudoi” simply means “gathering.” It’s been held since 1990, and is full of things that one can only experience in Oshu. The event itself is held in defiance of winter’s chill, bringing everyone together through food, drink, sacred fire, and local traditional arts.

One of the pine torches of sacred fire.

Reflections on Canceled Festivals

Of course, it’s a shame when historic festivals, which have continued for so long, come to an end. But the memories and the meaning of the event may persist, albeit in a new form. For instance, last year, Sominsai also concluded, but this year, a small-scale continuation event was held on temple grounds. In the case of Nohadate no Tsudoi, the large usu mortar will be displayed around the Isawa area, and – according to one of the festival workers I spoke with – it seems that some sort of continuation event will happen this summer.

I think it’s deeply meaningful that people work out ways to ensure that traditions aren’t just cast aside. It reminds me of the practice of rebuilding shrines and temples again and again after they burn down. Even if the building takes a different form, it still fulfills the same role as a symbol of the area, as a place to pray, and similar. People don’t give up – they just adapt to the new reality.

When reading books about physics in connection to the possibility of the ILC, I often come across the concept that matter is neither created nor destroyed: it just shows up in different forms. I think a version of this concept can be seen in Japan’s approach to festivals. Yes, Nohadate no Tsudoi or Sominsai will not be held in exactly the same style, but the intentions and meaning behind the festival can continue in all sorts of ways.

I believe this ability to hold onto the important parts of a festival, while understanding that the details will change, is an example of an underrated aspect of Japanese culture: accepting, and adapting to, inevitable changes.

This situation also brings to mind something I often tell visitors to Japan: that one’s time in Japan is limited, and that fun cultural events can be seasonal and short-lived, so it may be impossible to experience everything on your itinerary. Rather than worrying about the things you might’ve missed, I strongly recommend throwing yourself into whatever place and season in Japan in which you find yourself, and focusing on what you were able to take part in.

 As someone who lives in Japan, I try to enjoy each year as it comes. If you come to Oshu, please fully appreciate the season it is when you visit, and accept our city as it is.

The winter fireworks, ending this iteration of Nohadate no Tsudoi.