Nihonmatsu Shonen-tai Kensho-sai
Nihonmatsu Shonen-tai Kensho-sai is a festival held in Minami Soma City, Fukushima Pref. In the battles to offend and defend Shirakawa Castle during the Boshin War just before the Meiji Restoration, the main forces of Nihonmatsu clan, which fought for the Tokugawa Shogunate, had to retreat further day by day and their camps were occupied one after another by the New Government forces, until at last their return route was blocked off. To supplement the absence of the main forces, the boys over 13 years old were sent to the battle field as an exception. Among them, those under the age of seventeen were referred to as “Nihonmatsu Shonen-tai (Boy Corps).” Kensho-sai Festival is annually held in Sennindamari Square under Minowa Gate of Kasumigajo Castle. “Gin (canting of a Japanese poem),” “Tsurugi-mai (sward dance),” and “Shimai (dancing to a poem)” are performed by local boys. The festival imparts the pure spirit of the boys, who were willing to die to protect their homeland.