Four years ago in Nagoya there were apparently quite a few events of concern with the show. It was a belief held to some degree that it had to do with angry spirits. This time, there were apparently monks blessing the tent and the grounds to settle any spirits that might be hovering around.
In the past couple of weeks, a few minor injuries have occurred – nothing serious. To some, they might be the cumulative result of incorrect technique/body maintenance or inattentiveness. The motorbikes always seem to have intermittent mechanical trouble every couple of months, so that's par for the course. As another measure to alleviate further incident, there have been bags of garlic hung at the entrances to the grounds and the entrance from the curtains to the ring. There are also two bowls of salt at the rear entrance to the tent that are supposedly always there, but this week was the first time I'd noticed them.
At the basic level, I'm glad that no one has been hurt in the show.
I'm just reporting a cultural curiosity, not judging. There are all sorts of circus and theater superstitions. I personally don't say "good luck," but at this point, it's more because that phrase indicates doubt than it is for tradition. I prefer to say "Go gettem!"
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Theatre people are superstitious people. Jason and the Grand View folks did The Scottish Play the year before I got there. They tempted the fates by saying the name, loudly and often. You will never convince them that the four grandparent deaths that occured during the run of the show and the near electrocution of the lighting staff when a fog machine erupted on the grid were not a direct result of saying the play's name. I hate to say it, but there's usually a reason for superstitions. Just better not to jinx yourself.
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