Stories about people. Stories about life.

Hometown Stories.

Keep going! You can do it!

The shouts of these men echo through the port of Nagasaki, southwestern Japan.

You look like a newborn foal. Are you all right?

At the center of the group is this man, encouraging the team in his role as leader, or "nagazai" as it's known locally.

They're preparing for a big event.

Bring it out!

The Nagasaki Kunchi Festival is a tradition dating back about 390 years.

During the event, the group will spend three days spinning around a ship weighing roughly 5 tons.

This requires some strenuous practice.

Five months of training builds up their strength, both physically and mentally.

This festival can change people. It certainly changed me.

I used to act the fool. Now, I'm a more serious person.

But...

Does your stomach hurt?

For most of the team members, it's their first time.

One of them ends up quitting.

Let's look at how the group carries on the festival's traditions during changing times.

Today, we focus on Nagasaki's popular entertainment district, Motoshikkui-machi.

In 2023, people are getting ready for a special performance last seen 10 years ago.

The team members pledge to follow five strict rules, including "Always respect others," and "Never skip practice."

We're counting on you.

The role of "nagazai," or leader, went to 44-year-old Harada Shinichi.

He said something unusual in his acceptance speech.

For this year's festival, let's practice hard guided by our motto.

It's "Hissho."

In other words, let's keep smiling and have fun. That's my message.

Practice can be tough. But let's encourage each other and keep smiling.

Shinichi chose "Smile!" as the team's motto because of an unfortunate experience.

Ten years earlier, he was in charge of spinning the ship.

Drummer! Do it right!

Go! Up!

He wanted the ship to spin flawlessly.

So, he was constantly yelling at the other members.

When someone slacked off, I'd say, "Push hard!"

Injuries can happen if people lose concentration. So, I was strict.

Of the 18 members from back then, only two decided to take part again this time.

This is unusual. In the past, about half of the members would sign up again.

Only two of them...

If we don't get people, the tradition will likely disappear.

I have to change with the times and adapt to young people's style.

Or, they won't want to do it.

In this day and age, you can't just push people around.

The Nagasaki Kunchi is a major autumn festival of the Suwa Shrine, located in the center of the city.

The upcoming festival is the first in four years.

The gap due to the pandemic and also a sexual harassment scandal involving the chief priest.

It also had a problem with abuse of power.

Some wondered if the festival should even continue.

The state of affairs in the shrine is abnormal, to put it bluntly.

I'll do everything I can to restore the shrine's reputation and people's trust.

Here's the group from Motoshikkui-machi, practicing with their motto "Smile!"

To recruit more people, the team invited a young man living nearby to watch the practice.

It's physically demanding to spin the ship, so 50 is the cutoff age for joining.

Better to try it and regret it, than to regret not trying it.

Let's do it!

I'll think about it.

Think about it?

You can give your answer right now.

The group practices six days a week.

Once you're a member, there's no time left for private life.

Let's have a wonderful experience together.

Will you do it?

Let me talk to my parents.

The young man decided to join the team.

Now it finally has the necessary 18 members.

Shinichi has an important message.

A team towel was found somewhere.

Someone in the neighborhood found one of the team's festival towels, washed it and brought it over.

In the past, Shinichi would have yelled at whoever was at fault.

It's wonderful. You never know how you might meet new people.

From now on, I think I'll take my laundry to this cleaner's.

- You, too.
- Yes.

- Take good care of your towels.
- My apologies.

I'll be careful.

Shinichi works at a Chinese restaurant.
He focuses on the festival for 5 months.

This time, I've been given the big role of "nagazai," or leader.

This will be my final performance in front of the shrine. I'll give it my all.

This is it, once and for all.

I want the young guys to enjoy it, too.

I'll watch them, while I have fun waving the leader's long baton.

In June, the group starts full-on practice.

For three hours a day, they work assiduously on strengthening their core and lower body.

You can do more!

The performance in Motoshikkui-machi involves spinning a ship weighing about 5 tons.

It's strenuous, to say the least.

Physical strength is vital for making the ship appear to be riding the ocean waves.

Here's someone who's trying hard to keep up.

It's Shinichi's 21-year-old son, Yuta.

My legs hurt, right here. This is the toughest part.

When Yuta was in his final year of high school,

the festival was canceled, prompting him to change his future plans.

I'd passed the test to join Japan's Self-Defense Forces after graduation.

I couldn't go before joining the festival. So, I took a part-time job instead.

After practice, Yuta works the night shift at a convenience store.

- Good evening.
- Hello.

It must be hard working late after practice. Hang in there.

Thanks to the Kunchi festival, I get to know more people.

Yuta says he hasn't talked much with his father in the last few years.

- 1,155 yen.
- Can I have a receipt?

He got rebellious as a teenager. He wouldn't talk to me. He'd ignore me.

When I came home, he'd go to his own room.

Ten years ago, I saw my Dad yelling his head off at the team.

I hated that.

Sometimes, he'd get angry for no reason.

After two weeks of training...

something unexpected happens.

Just below my buttock...

Some of the members can't keep up with the training.

You went to the hospital, and were told you had a slight tear in your muscle?

Five members have suffered injuries, including a university student and some company workers.

Most of them haven't been exercising regularly.

One of them has a lingering injury and has to drop out.

If training like this can cause injury, how will we handle the ship?

I keep this close by.

Shinichi often rereads this school composition written by Yuta.

I wanted my son to take part in the Kunchi festival.

Maybe my thoughts got through to him.

I'll hold on to this all my life. It's my treasure.

When I feel down, or wonder about training...

a quick look at this gives me a sense of relief.

Work hard and be proud till the end. This charm will help!

A new member joins the team in place of the injured one who had to quit.

You must memorize the way the ship moves.

You know it already, right?

Kawase Shoki is in high school.

At age 17, he's the youngest member.

My uncle is kind of a big shot.

He talked to the head of the festival about the vacant slot on the team.

He volunteered me as a new member.

I couldn't refuse.

Soon after the start of practice...

Shoki doesn't look well.

Does your stomach hurt?

He's not used to it yet, and has thrown up.

Shoki says he's been spending his spare time recently playing a lot of computer games at home.

- Hi there.
- You're back.

Shoki's parents run an "izakaya," a Japanese-style pub.

They were hoping that joining the team would change him a little.

Hungry?

I sure am.

- I can't hear you.
- Thank you for the food.

It was so hard, and I felt sick to my stomach.

It was too exhausting to even think about quitting.

I hope it'll be over soon. I shouldn't say that, though.

Shoki shows up at the next practice.

Hello.

- Good to see you.
- I'll do my best.

Turn that off!

Are you all right? Don't overdo it.

But let's work hard.

The team welcome him back with smiles.

The festival is right around the corner.

Shinichi has reserved all the seats at his father's Chinese restaurant and invited the team for a meal.

It's Yuhi's birthday.

Shinichi's father, Kunihiro, talks to the young team members.

The team will never have the same members twice.

Maybe not?

Will you do it again?

Yes... I'll think about it.

Please turn off the camera.

After it's over, maybe...

You'll want to spin the ship again.

- You think?
- Sure.

It's such an awesome experience, you'll want to work hard at it again.

5 months with the motto "Smile!"
Shinichi never yells.

I've lost 7 kilos.

Probably from the stress. This is a first for me.

I've been biting my tongue, not saying what I want to.

Four o'clock in the morning on the first day of the Nagasaki Kunchi festival...

Morning, Shoki.

Shoki is the first of the team to arrive.

He's the high school student who wasn't sure he'd be able to endure the training.

I practiced with my teammates. We shouted and laughed together.

And soon, I started getting into it.

Now, I'm having a lot of fun. Everyone is kind and funny.

Smile!

Three grueling days of spinning a ship for 17 hours a day.

The team goes around about 1,000 places in town.

You're doing great!

Day 3
A member gets a cramp in his leg.

I'm OK.

Off we go!

Now, the team is off to the final performance in front of the shrine.

18 members, everyone present, continuing to spin the ship.

Bring it out!

People call out for an encore.

Don't go home yet, Shinichi!

"Bring it out!" for the 6th time.

Last one. We'll spin it, for sure!

One last time!

Don't cry, Akira!

You're making me cry, too!

With their motto of "Smile!," these men are passing down the traditional festival to the next generation.

Well done!

After the festival, all the members return to their home district, Motoshikkui-Machi.

We've been waiting for you!

Thank you!

Good job!

Let's spin it!

Wasn't it fun, the Kunchi?

Here it comes.

The next performance is 7 years away for the Motoshikkui-machi area.

I think "Smile!" is great.

I want to do it again next time with the same motto in 7 years.

Please gather around.

The ship will rest once more for 7 years.

Thank you very much!