【Designated by the City：Tangible Folk】Agiisu (Chikaraishi Stone) of Gusukube

In each of the settlements, there were numerous tests of strengths among the youths up until before the war. One of these was sumo wrestling, but there also was the Agiisu (rock of strength), which is similar to weight-lifting of today. At each of the youth squares (present day community centers), there were two Agiisu rocks; a small one and a large one. In those days where entertainment was scarce, the youths gathered in groups after their work on the farm to compete in a test of strength using the Agiisu rocks. It is said that the large rock weighed around 70 to 80kg, and the smaller weighed 50 to 60kg. There were two methods in this strength test, raising the Agiisu rock up to the shoulders and the other, to carry it above the head with both hands. After the war, when these competitions no longer took place, many of the Agiisu rocks were simply lost.
Presently, the only districts where the Agiisu rocks have been confirmed are Nanamata, Aragusuku, and Nishinaka. The Agiisu is an important source of history in the folk customs in Gusukube.