【Prefecturally Designated：Selected Intangible Folk 】Myakuzutsu of Ikema Island

Over three days starting on the day of the horse or Kinoeuma every year from August to September in the lunar calendar, the largest festival on Ikema Island, centering around the four Mutu (Maja, Agimasu, Mai-nu-Ya, and Maezato).
The rituals conducted at each of the Mutu sites are done by Mutu-Nuya, an organization made up of men 55 years old and older, grouped by age. During this period, the Mutu-Nuya members belonging to each of the Mutu, gather at four or five o’clock in the early morning, and spend time at the Mutu as they drink and share sake. In the early morning hours on the second day, the Masumui ritual takes place. In this ritual, the families of babies born after the Myakuzutsu of the year before come to register their children as a member of the Mutu ritual group.
Also on this day, men and women, young and old offer their prayers at the Uparuzu Utaki sacred site. This is the only day when men are permitted to enter the site. At dusk, with Maja Mutu leading the way, all the Mutu-Nuya gather and sit at their designated places at the open area next to the seas at the boundary of Ikema and Maezato. There, the Tsukasanma dance the Kuicha, and the Mutu-Nuya join in, along with the local residence, all dancing the Kuicha together.