OKAYAMA, Japan — A traditional Japanese festival known for its scantily clad participants turned deadly on February 21, 2026, leaving two men dead and several others injured after a crush during a scramble for sacred wooden sticks. The incident at the Hadaka Matsuri, or “Naked Festival,” in Okayama City has prompted calls for a review of safety measures at the centuries-old event.
According to reports, the festival, officially named “Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri,” attracts approximately 10,000 men wearing only loincloths who compete to grab “shingi,” or sacred wooden sticks, thrown by priests. The competition is believed to bring good luck to those who secure one. This year, the intense struggle for the sticks resulted in a dangerous crush of people.
Police confirmed that 48-year-old Takahiro Takaya died from oxygen deprivation after being trampled in the melee. A second victim, a 58-year-old man, succumbed to multiple organ failure several days after the incident, bringing the total number of fatalities to two. Star Headline News reported that a 42-year-old man who was also critically injured has regained consciousness.
The festival, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, has a history spanning over 500 years. Yahoo News Taiwan detailed that approximately 10,000 men participated in the February 21st event. Authorities had deployed over 1,100 security personnel and first responders in anticipation of large crowds, but the scale of the crush overwhelmed their capacity.
“The loss of precious lives is deeply regrettable, and I express my sincere condolences,” said Omori Minoru, chairman of the Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri Promotion Council, according to Star Headline News. He pledged to collaborate with relevant organizations to fundamentally review and revise safety protocols for future festivals.
Here’s not the first time the Hadaka Matsuri has experienced tragedy. In 2007, a man in his 40s died after being trampled during a similar scramble for the sacred sticks, as reported by Line Today. The recent deaths are likely to intensify scrutiny of the festival’s safety arrangements and potentially lead to significant changes in how the event is managed.
The incident underscores the challenges of managing large-scale cultural events and the potential for tragedy when crowds become overly dense, and uncontrolled. The festival’s future remains uncertain as organizers grapple with how to preserve its traditions while ensuring the safety of participants.
