Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Man Festival

This isn't a particularly EXCITING clip from the festival, but it gives you an idea of what goes on in the cold, night-time hours of Japan.

I was lucky enough to go to one of the Hadaka (naked) Matsuri (festival) in Japan about two years ago. I believe it was February 18th at around 11pm in Okayama. Okayama is between Hiroshima and Osaka. Very cold!

The festival began with the guys getting tipsy and then wrapping up in loin cloths...so they aren't COMPLETELY naked. They then run out into the street and get sprayed with cold water! This clip shows them under the temple roof as they prepare to fight for the shingi -- some kind of blessed rod that's been greased up. The winner is supposed to have great luck that year. They were all drunk and rowdy, and the announcer is trying to calm the group down before things begin.

I'm too short to see above a crowd's head, so my friend Hari (the voice you hear) shot the clip for me. Thanks, Hari!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• hadaka
• matsuri
• naked
• festival
• japan
• okayama

[RoninDave]

dammit! I missed it this year! I've wanted to go twice but haven't been able to. Did you see any guys in black fundoshi (loincloths). I read those are the yakuza-wannabes who go there mainly to be able to beat the crap out of people and get away with it. I've got a similar vid on my channel of a smaller such event where they just mud wrestle and nobody gets hurt.