Murone Shrine was built in Mutsu Province (now Ichinoseki city in Iwate prefecture) when they re-enshrined a god, Kumano-no-kami, of the Kii Province during the Nara period, to pray for their success in conquering Ezo, or present day Hokkaido. This program captures the festival which is held to welcome the god. People who run the festival are called "Jin-yaku," and their role is passed down through the generations of families who can trace their lineage to the people who moved from the Province of Kii 1300 years ago. The highlight of this 3-day festival is the "Matsuriba event," held in the early morning on the third day. In complete darkness, two mikoshi, or portable shrines, are carried out and raced down the steep slope of a mountain. The race continues until the portable shrines are elevated and settled in their temporary location at the foot of the mountain. This program introduces the entire festival, while capturing the challenges of the people who face having to pass down these rituals to the next generation.