TOKYO: They do the re-enactment of the old Samurai battles and riding the horses clad in traditional clothes at Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima Prefecture, resulted in over 100 horses getting heat stroke besides two perishing.
The unprecedented hot weather in Japan was expected and the organisers did the needful in cooling the track but sun-baked track coupled with heat resulted in horses getting dehydrated.
Over 100 animals were treated along with over a dozen spectators who gathered viewing the epic battles of Japanese history.
The Samurai Spirit is a very respected tradition in the Japanese culture and Samurais hold a high place in the society. They are considered the notables in the community standing out for justice and honesty.
The organisers of the event plan to change the date of the event holding it later during the year when the weather is more pleasant and doesn’t affect the animals and humans both as a horse also died in the last year’s event.
The temperature this year was recorded to be the highest and mercury touched 35 Celsius the hottest in the last five years.
The event has over 400 Samurai warriors reenacting epic battles on horseback and spectators witnessing the Japanese history number over 120,000.
Yoshichika Hirata member of the orgainising committee stated that they were planning to hold the event in a much cooler time but the decision will be taken on Thursday as a change of date is also supported by the riders.
