Grooms dancing in the snowy sky! Matsunoyama Onsen Traditional strange festival grandly (Tokamachi-city, Niigata-ken)

2025.1.16

すみ塗りMukonageTokamachi CityStrange festivalMatsunoyama

The “Mukonage Sumi-nuri”, a strange festival that has been handed down since the Edo period, was held in Tokamachi City and Matsunoyama Onsen, Niigata Prefecture, on Wednesday, March 15. This year, two couples, chosen from the general public, who have ties to Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town, received warm congratulations from the local people.

Muko nage” is a small New Year’s event that has been handed down in Matsunoyama since the Edo period (1603-1868). It is said to have originated when a woman from a local village and a man from another area threw a muko onto the snow in anger when they got married, and is now an event to celebrate couples who got married in the previous year.

This year’s stars were two couples selected from the general public. Gen and Ai Hayakawa, who live in Tokyo and are from Gejo, Tokamachi City, decided to make an unforgettable memory of the place where Ai proposed to him.

Keito and Shiho Fukuhara, who live in Kanagawa Prefecture, were encouraged to participate by their father, who had worked in the Matsunoyama area for many years, because Keito is from Tsunan Town. In front of the Yakushido Hall, the stage for the muko-nage, there was 2.5 meters of snow, and cotton snow was falling constantly, making for perfect conditions for the event.

Gen Hayakawa
I thought I flew pretty well, but I was told later that I was flying low. For now, I was just trying to get off the plane. I am happy that everyone threw me. Everyone congratulated me, so I want to be happy and take responsibility.”

Ai Hayakawa
I was happy that everyone threw the ball as hard as they could and I was able to catch it as it rolled down to the bottom.

Keito Fukuhara
“I felt the snow was soft and gentle as only a soft local snow can be after landing. I want to have a happy married life as pictured. I am from Tsunan Town, and I was happy to be able to participate in the traditional event and have everyone celebrate with me. I hope this event will spread to other people, and I hope many people, regardless of whether they are in Matsunoyama or Niigata, will know about it.”

Shihomi Fukuhara
I was glad and happy that they rolled up to me.”

After the event, the traditional “Sumi-nuri” was held. Mr. Hayakawa and Mr. Fukuhara lit a fire in the Dondon-yaki Yagura, and everyone in the hall mixed the ashes from the fire with snow and inked each other’s faces, wishing each other good health and good fortune.

Ai Hayakawa
I am afraid to look at my face in the mirror. I am afraid to look at my face in the mirror.

Keito Fukuhara
I don’t know what it is, but it’s nice. It’s going to be a wonderful year.

A visitor from Chiba Prefecture
I have been coming here for three years in a row. This year’s Mukonage was very powerful and interesting. It was an enjoyable event, very Tokamachi and Matsunoyama-like.

Yamagishi Director of Matsunoyama Hot Springs Association
This year, the snow was perfect, so it was a good thing. I think it is becoming impossible for the local community to survive on its own, so I would be happy if anyone who is interested could join in the local festivals and experience the blackening of the snow.