A high school student swings his hangiri and moves forward during the competition in Masaki, Ehime Prefecture, on August 4.
12:20 JST, August 31, 2024
MASAKI, Ehime — Earlier this month, a unique water race was held in Masaki, Ehime Prefecture, with about 200 people competing to set the fastest time by swinging a bathtub across the sea.
The event is called the Hangiri Race. The word “hangiri” means “something cut in half” and the name comes from the fact that the tubs were made by cutting soy sauce or sake barrels in half. It is said that local fishermen rode on them.
The size of the hangiri used in the competition was 1.1 meters in diameter and 40 centimeters deep. Competitors grip the edge of the tub and by bending and straightening their knees, they rock the tub back and forth to propel it forward.
A 20-meter course was set up at the venue, surrounded by floating piers, and participants competed in categories ranging from elementary school students, high school students, and the general public. Some participants simply spun around without moving forward at all, while others lost their balance and capsized.
The pupil who won the girls’ category in primary school had been practising in the school pool every day since the start of the summer holidays and said with a smile: “I’m glad it paid off.”
Masaki Mayor Kosuke Tanaka said: “We want to publicize this competition to everyone.”
The city council eventually wants to organize a world championship Hangiri racing.
