Picture courtesy of Asahi
There are many ‘naked festivals’, though what this generally refers to is men in fundoshi loin cloths who parade through the streets. Some of the naked festivals centre around cold water, some around wooden floats, and some as the one at Saidaiji in Tokyo today are about fighting for lucky charms. Anyone who has been to a festival of this kind will know how the normally polite and patient Japanese can become aggressive in getting hold of the lucky charms. Call it faith, or superstition, or tradition, but the motivation and sincerity is impressive. If you’re in Tokyo today, go see it for yourself…
**************************************
Izumi Iwaki writes in the Japan Times about the Saidaiji Eyo…
This festival is believed to be nearly five centuries old and to have started after a rumor spread that a talisman distributed by a local temple brought its owners lots of good luck.
Men in fundoshi at Kyoto's Gion Matsuri
On hearing this, so many people went to the temple that the staff had no choice but to throw the talismans into the crowd, who fought their way to get at them. It is said that sometimes the scramble was so fierce that the visitors ripped each other’s clothing to shreds.
These talismans — originally paper, now wooden — are known as shingi and every year on the third Saturday of February, thousands of men compete to get hold of one. Wearing only loincloths, despite the cold wintry night, they perform ritual ablutions at Saidaiji Temple until 10 p.m., when the light in the main hall is turned off and two sacred shingi are thrown into the crowd.
The men who catch the shingi could become fuku otoko (lucky men) for the year, but to claim the talismans, they must first carry them out of the main hall and off the temple grounds. This is a lot easier said than done when the rest of the men — who even if they can’t see the shingi can still follow their distinct smell of incense — all battle each other for the lucky charms — right up to the gate of the temple.
Every year, many are injured during this unusual festival, so if you dare to participate, make sure to read through the instructions carefully.
*************************
Saidaiji Eyo (Naked Festival) takes place at Saidaiji Temple, which is 10-min. walk from Ako Line Saidaiji Station. For more information, visit the website.
Photo courtesy Japan Times
People jostle frantically to get a piece of rice cake at the Nagemochi event, part of the Hounen Matsuri at Tagata Jinja
Leave a Reply