After 1,250 years, women join Japan’s (nearly) naked festival

For the first time in its 1,250-year history, women have been allowed to participate in a traditional Japanese festival where nearly naked men compete for sacred wooden sticks called “shingi”. The festival, known as “Hadaka Matsuri” or “Naked Festival”, took place in Okayama, Japan.

Despite the name, participants don’t actually have to be fully naked – they wear loincloths and tabi socks. However, this year marked a historic moment as women were finally included in the event. Previously, only men were allowed to participate in the festival.

The festival is believed to bring good fortune and a bountiful harvest to the region. Participants undergo a purification ritual before the main event where they compete to grab one of the sacred sticks thrown by a priest. The person who successfully grabs a stick is said to receive a year of good luck.

With women now able to join the festival, it marks a significant step towards gender equality in Japan’s traditional culture. The inclusion of women in this ancient ritual is a sign of progress and change in a country where traditional gender roles have long been rigidly defined.

Overall, the decision to allow women to participate in the Naked Festival is a positive step towards greater inclusivity and gender equality in Japanese society.