Hemp Awards at the Tochigi National Athletic Meet

On June 25, 2022, at the "Ichigo Ichie" Tochigi National Athletic Meet, held at the Tochigi Prefectural Kenpoku Gymnasium, the opening competition "Tug of War" was held.

Photo: Championship rope made of 100% Ise Hemp.

The winning team in each category received a "championship rope" made of 100% Ise hemp, which was made by craftsmen of Yamakawa in Kyoto, and blessed at the Sana Shrine in Taki Town, Mie Prefecture, and also a "hemp hoop" made in the image of a medal as a commemorative gift. Sana Shrine is dedicated to the god of power 天手力男命 (Amenota Jikara Onomikoto). Tochigi is the largest hemp-growing area in Japan. Ise hemp producers were also trained under hemp farmers in Tochigi Prefecture. In this way, the members of Ise Asa were happy to have been able to return the favor to their colleagues in Tochigi. (Excerpt and Photo Ⓒ Ise Asa)