AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Imagine lifting a 230-kilogram granite boulder with your bare hands. For the porters of Tomonoura, this wasn't a feat of impossible strength, but a competitive sport. The Chikaraishi of Tomonotsu are a collection of massive stones scattered throughout the historic port town, serving as monuments to the pride and power of the Nakashi, the dockworkers who once loaded and unloaded cargo from ships.↗↗↗
During festivals in the Edo and Meiji periods, these laborers would gather to test their strength against these specially shaped stones. The winners had their names and the weight of the stone they lifted carved into the granite, which was then dedicated to local shrines. Today, you can see these impressive relics at Nunakura Shrine, Sumiyoshi Shrine, and the Tomonoura History and Folklore Museum.↗↗↗
The Strength of the Porters
Tomonoura flourished as a major maritime hub, relying on a skilled workforce of Nakashi (porters) to move goods between ships and the shore. These men worked on gangi (stone steps) and wooden planks, balancing heavy loads on their shoulders while navigating the rhythm of the waves. To prove their prowess, they engaged in chikaraishi (strength stone) competitions.
