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<\/a>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 community threw a muko onto the snow to express their marriage.<\/p>\r\nThis year’s stars were two couples selected from the general public.<\/p>\r\n Fumiaki\u00a0 and Yumi Okada, who live in Tokyo, volunteered to play the lead roles because Fumiaki’s mother is from Matsunoyama and she wanted her parents to watch her dance in the air.<\/p>\r\n Takanori and Shiori Sato, who live in Chiba Prefecture, applied because Takanori’s parents are from Matsunoyama and he has wanted to participate in this historic festival since he was a child.<\/p>\r\n Although there were concerns about a little snow this year, the conditions were perfect with more than 40 cm of fresh snow that fell the night before in front of the Yakushido, the festival site.<\/p>\r\n Mr. Okada.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Mr. Sato.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Fumiaki Okada Yumi Okada Takanori Sato Shiori Sato After the Mukonage, here is another strange festival, Sumi-nuri.<\/p>\r\n Okada-san and Sato-san set fire to the Dondoyaki 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.<\/a>Left: Mr. and Mrs. Okada \/ Right: Mr. and Mrs. Sato<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/p>\r\n
\r\nThe snow in Matsunoyama is soft and fluffy. I will remember today’s experience and get along well with them when I have a difficult time in my future married life.<\/p>\r\n
\r\nI’m glad you made it down safely. We will continue to do our best hand in hand.<\/p>\r\n<\/p>\r\n
\r\nI was able to fly away without worrying about my family and friends coming to the wedding. I couldn’t invite my cousins and aunts and uncles to the wedding, so it was nice to celebrate this milestone together.”<\/p>\r\n
\r\nI was anxious watching from below in this heavy snowfall, but I was happy to see them fly away with nice smiles on their faces. I am grateful to have been warmly welcomed by so many people. It was a good start to my new life.<\/p>\r\n<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/a><\/p>\r\n
\r\n\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>Matsunoyama Onsen Hot Springs Association Chairman Yuichi Yamagishi, Association Chairman
\r\nI thought there might not be enough snow until yesterday, and I was praying for it to fall, but it fell quite a bit this morning, which was a relief. It’s been a while since the corona dawned and we were able to do without masks, so it’s good to see the festival back to how it used to be.”<\/p>\r\n<\/p>\r\nMatsunoyama Onsen Yakushido<\/h2>