MINAMISOMA, Fukushima -- Decades-long rules banning the participation of most women in the traditional Soma Nomaoi festival held annually in and around this northeast Japan city are being debated, and may be revised by the time it is next held.

The festival, designated as an important intangible folk cultural property, features horse riders dressed in full samurai gear. While some want the rules revised, a group that promotes its preservation sounded support for keeping the condition banning women other than those who are unmarried and under 20 years old from taking part. The issue will be discussed by all five district cavalry associations belonging to the organization that sets the rules for participants, and a final call is due to be made by next February.

According to the Minamisoma City Museum, the ban on women's participation was lifted in 1947, the first year the event was held since World War II. In 1953, one or more women at least 20 years old participated for the first time. In 1984, conditions that women were to wear "no makeup" and that they be "unmarried and under the age of majority" were written into the rules.

However, related organizations began considering an update after some expressed support for a change at a general meeting of the hosting committee this April.

A meeting of related parties took place on Dec. 14 in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture. A committee of heritage experts, which serves as an advisory body to the group that promotes the event's preservation, expressed the view that, "Considering the essential value of Nomaoi as an 'inheritance of samurai culture,' the rules have a certain meaning, and it is desirable to continue (the festival) as it is."

The organization that sets the rules of participation commented, "We think we should assess suitability by taking into account factors such as 'samurai-ness,' technical skills, health and sociability while respecting the intrinsic value of Nomaoi, regardless of gender." Yasumitsu Ushiwata, an 80-year-old adviser for the "Kitago Kibakai" cavalry association, meanwhile, offered his personal view that "certain reviews are needed in light of changes in society."

(Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Minamisoma Local Bureau)