Something for everyone
The festival evolved from a ritual that started 500 years ago during the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), when villagers competed to grab paper talismans, which were given out by a priest at the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple. More and more villagers wanted those lucky paper talismans and the ritual grew in size. But they realized that when they went to grab the paper it ripped. Their clothes just got in the way too, so they eventually did away with them and exchanged paper for wood, said Itano. With its long heritage, the festival was also designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset in 2016. It's one of several "naked festivals" held across Japan, with another held at Yotsukaido in Chiba prefecture, featuring men in loincloths fighting and carrying kids through mud as a method of exorcism. There are plenty of other festivities to check out for those that don't feel like stripping down to a loincloth in mid-winter, too. Related content Okinoshima: World Heritage Site banned to women Before the main Okayama event, there is an afternoon of traditional dances and a performance by a troupe of female drummers. A fireworks show starts at 7 p.m. At Gofuku-dori, a nearby shopping street, locals open their doors and welcome participants and spectators. You don't have to be a local to take part in the main "naked" event. You can either register in advance to buy your loincloth and tabi socks, or buy them on site if you feel like joining in. This year, festival organizers have also taken extra precautions amid the coronavirus outbreak. Itano suggested participants in the naked part of the festival not wear masks during the rough and tumble part of the main event. However, she added that hand sanitizers were placed at the temple entrance and around the festival.Something for everyone
The festival evolved from a ritual that started 500 years ago during the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), when villagers competed to grab paper talismans, which were given out by a priest at the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple. More and more villagers wanted those lucky paper talismans and the ritual grew in size. But they realized that when they went to grab the paper it ripped. Their clothes just got in the way too, so they eventually did away with them and exchanged paper for wood, said Itano. With its long heritage, the festival was also designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset in 2016. It's one of several "naked festivals" held across Japan, with another held at Yotsukaido in Chiba prefecture, featuring men in loincloths fighting and carrying kids through mud as a method of exorcism. There are plenty of other festivities to check out for those that don't feel like stripping down to a loincloth in mid-winter, too. Related content Okinoshima: World Heritage Site banned to women Before the main Okayama event, there is an afternoon of traditional dances and a performance by a troupe of female drummers. A fireworks show starts at 7 p.m. At Gofuku-dori, a nearby shopping street, locals open their doors and welcome participants and spectators. You don't have to be a local to take part in the main "naked" event. You can either register in advance to buy your loincloth and tabi socks, or buy them on site if you feel like joining in. This year, festival organizers have also taken extra precautions amid the coronavirus outbreak. Itano suggested participants in the naked part of the festival not wear masks during the rough and tumble part of the main event. However, she added that hand sanitizers were placed at the temple entrance and around the festival.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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