参加者２人が死亡…伝統ある岡山市の裸祭り「西大寺会陽」の将来的な在り方を検討する委員会が初開催　岡山 (26/07/09 18:00)

The first meeting of a committee to consider the future of the Saidaiji Eyo festival in Okayama City, where two participants died in an accident, was held on July 9th. (By Chisato Chiba, Reporter) "This committee will explore a new form for the Saidaiji Eyo festival, which has a history of over 500 years. Attention will be focused on how to preserve tradition while prioritizing the safety of participants." The committee consists of five members, including academics and lawyers, with Professor Emeritus Shinsaku Sugiyama of Shujitsu University appointed as chairman. At the first meeting, the circumstances of the accident were reported. In February 2026, during the "Hogi" (sacred wood) scramble at the Saidaiji Eyo festival held at Saidaiji Kannon-in in Higashi Ward, Okayama City, three men in their 40s to 60s were left in critical condition and unconscious. One later regained consciousness, but the other two died. Approximately 10,000 people participated in the 2026 festival. Regarding the 2027 festival, the organizing body, the Hōsankai (supporters' association), is considering whether or not to hold the sacred wood scramble and plans to announce its decision by October. The committee considering the future of the festival will examine its future from 2028 onwards. The committee will conduct hearings with festival stakeholders to investigate the cause of the accident, and will also gather opinions from various perspectives regarding the festival itself. They will consider whether or not to hold the festival, measures to prevent recurrence considering safety, and rules for the festival. They plan to make recommendations to the organizing body by the end of the year. (Shinji Sugiyama, Chairman of the Saidaiji Eyo Festival Review Committee) "Instead of focusing solely on tradition, we will consider the direction the festival should take in the future and what should be passed on to the next generation. We will maintain a distance from the Hōsankai (organizing body) and take an objective and fair overview of everything." The committee is scheduled to meet once a month, with the next meeting on August 7th.