High-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
Osaka’s danjiri festivals have existed for centuries, but some are saying it’s time for a reevaluation of the unique custom. At many festivals in Japan, one of the highlights is the mikoshi procession, in which a portable shrine is carried around the neighborhood to confer blessings onto the local community. But at the danjiri festivals […]
In Osaka, Japan, two tragic danjiri festival crashes occurred on the same day, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Danjiri festivals involve participants pulling a wheeled portable shrine through the streets at high speeds. The crashes happened in Izumisano and Izumiotsu, both in Osaka Prefecture. In each incident, a takari, a person responsible for weight transfer during turns, was killed when the danjiri tipped over.
The crashes sparked debate over whether the centuries-old tradition should be continued in its current form, as the top-heavy carts struggle with cornering. Some argue that the risks are acceptable, while others believe the tradition should be reevaluated for safety reasons.
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