Hadaka Matsuri

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Hello,

We went to the Konomiya Shrine's Naked Festival on Saturday with Zoe and Martin. It was really good fun, we hope you enjoy the photos and bit of information below.

Hadaka Matsuri officially called "Naoi Shinji", this festival takes place anually on January 13 of the lunar calendar. The festival started about 1240 years ago in the year 767 (Nara Period), when Emperor Shotoku ordered the entire nation to offer prayers to dispel a plague.

The govenor of Owari Province (presently Aichi prefecture) thereby went to the Owari Sosha Shrine and founded the festival to dispel bad luck and calamities.

Since it is said that touching the consecrated man, Shin-Otako, will dispel one's bad luck. A large group of naked men bravely struggle to touch the Shin-Otoka, who has been censecrated in a ceremony lasting 3 days and 3 nights.

Vikki and Ben

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Photos

Naked festival
Lunch