Thousands of nearly-nude men caper in traditional Japan Naked Festival
Thong and dance! Thousands of nearly-nude men caper in traditional Japan Naked Festival where they battle it out for pair of sacred sticks
- Approximately 9,000 Japanese men took part in the naked festival, held in the Saidaiji Temple in Okayama
- They battle each other to try and grab sacred wooden sticks that promise them good fortune and happiness
- Men shoved each other in hopes of retrieving the sticks, after donning white loincloths in the freezing cold
Around 9,000 men dressed in only loincloths gathered in Okayama, Japan to take part in the annual naked festival.
Despite freezing temperatures, the men battled to grab a pair of sacred wooden sticks (Shingi) thrown by a priest at the vibrant festival, also known as Hadaka Matsuri, at the Saidaiji Temple.
The sacred wooden sticks are guaranteed happiness and good fortune for the rest of the year, making them a popular target
The men shoved each other in hopes of retrieving the lucky batons, after donning white loincloths, put on with the help of their peers, before stepping into cold fountains, where they purified their bodies with water, and heading into the temple.
A team of men clean their bodies in a fountain before entering the temple at the Naked Festival, or Hadaka Matsuri at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama, Japan
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A team of participants climb to the temple building to try and catch a sacred wooden stick at the Naked Festival, dressed in only a loincloth
Despite freezing temperatures, the men battled to grab a pair of sacred wooden sticks (Shingi) thrown by a priest at the vibrant festival
Approximately 9,000 men competed in the annual festival, wearing just a white Japanese loincloth and braving the cold while delighted crowds of women looked on
According to Japanese tradition, the person who catches the batons and thrusts them in a wooden measuring box, called the masu, is blessed with 12 months of luck and happiness.
The unusual event – one of the most vibrant festivals in Japan – dates back 500 years when worshippers used to compete to receive paper talismans thrown by the priest.
Over the years, an increasing number of people receiving these talismans possessed good fortune – encouraging more worshippers to turn up.
However, the talismans were later changed to wooden sticks due to the fragile nature of paper.
The sacred wooden sticks that are in thrown into the crowd by a priest are ‘guaranteed’ to bring happiness and good fortune for the rest of the year to the person who grabs them
A cheerful team of men leave after clean their bodies in a fountain before entering the temple at the Naked Festival
The unusual event – one of the most vibrant festivals in Japan – dates back 500 years when worshippers used to compete to receive talismans thrown by the priest
Thousands of participants battle to find a sacred stick thrown by temple priests at the Naked Festival, or Hadaka Matsuri at the Saidaiji Temple
A team of smiling, cheerful participants pose for a photograph prior to taking part in the popular annual the Naked Festival
According to Japanese tradition, the person who catches the batons and thrusts them in a wooden measuring box, called the masu, is blessed with 12 months of luck and happiness
The Hadaka Matsuri is not the only festival in Japan which requires participants to bare all.
The ancient Shinto festival of Kanchu Misogi – a winter purification ritual that is supposed to cleanse the body and soul and bring worshippers closer to mystical spirits, which they believe can bring them success – has about 100 participants each year.
In temperatures that hit just above freezing, the participants strip down to loincloths and headbands before taking a dip in the pool at Teppozu Inari Shinto shrine.
They then crouched down in the freezing water to pray – before hugging large blocks of ice.
Thousands gathered inside the temple, braving the temperatures to try and win themselves a year of happiness and fotune
Men of all ages, shapes and sizes took part in the annual event, here a delighted group of them pose for a photo before the start
Thousands of participants battle each other to find a sacred stick thrown by temple priests at the Naked Festival today
Spirits were high as participants took photos and posed next to each other before making their way to the temple for the event
Teams of participants gather inside the temple building as they wait for their chance to catch the sacred wooden sticks
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