Hadaka Matsuri

Overview

The Naked Festival, known as "Hadaka Matsuri" in Japanese, is a collective term for traditional Shinto rituals held across Japan. These festivals are characterized by men wearing only loincloths (fundoshi) gathering in the cold of winter or at night to perform sacred acts. Many of these festivals are designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan or as cultural properties by local municipalities, serving as precious traditions that convey regional history and faith to the present day. Representative examples include the Saidaiji Eyo in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri (Naoi Shrine Ritual) in Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture, and the Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The Naked Festival is not merely a peculiar spectacle but a solemn religious event praying for abundant harvests, good health, and the warding off of evil. Participants purify themselves in the severe cold and approach the sacred space, embodying spiritual purification and rebirth. In particular, the act of serving before the gods in a naked state has been considered an important ritual since ancient times, representing a return to one's original human form and a direct encounter with the divine.

History and Origins

The origins of the Naked Festival vary by region, but many trace their roots to Buddhist or Shinto rituals from the Muromachi period to the Edo period. According to the temple tradition of the Saidaiji Eyo, it began during the Eisho era (1504-1521) of the Muromachi period when the priest Chua Shonin gave protective amulets to worshippers. As the number of applicants increased, in 1510 (Eisho 7), he threw paper protective amulets called "go-o" over the heads of the gathered crowd, and the scramble to catch them is said to be the origin of the Eyo. This suggests that the act of scrambling for amulets reflects the earnest desire of people seeking divine protection.

Initially, participants wore clothing while scrambling for the amulets, but it is speculated that they gradually shed their clothes for greater ease of movement. A picture scroll bearing the date 1661 (Kanbun 1) depicts the early state of the Eyo, showing both naked and clothed people intermingled. This indicates that the practice of participating naked gradually became established over time. The act of being naked developed as an element that strengthened the religious significance of the festival.

The Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri (Naoi Shinto Ritual) is said to have originated about 1,250 years ago when the governor of Owari Province performed a purification ritual at Owari Okunitama Shrine, the general shrine of Owari Province. This ritual was originally a purification ceremony held in the spring season, aimed at dispelling evil forces with sacred power. The combination of this ritual with the custom of cold-weather pilgrimage in the nude is believed to have resulted in the current festival during the late Edo period.

The Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri in Shizuoka Prefecture is a ritual held at Yanahebi Jinja Shrine and is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. This festival has the character of a Shinko-sai (a festival where the deity travels through the parish area), which occurs only once a year, and participants serve the portable shrine and sacred objects in the nude. While the exact origin of the festival is not clearly documented, it has been positioned as the center of regional faith as a traditional event that has continued since ancient times.

Highlights

Distribution of the Dedicated Giant Rice Cake At the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri, the "Giant Rice Cake" (Omochi) dedicated by neighborhoods in the Owari area is a major highlight. Its size is approximately 4 tons (equivalent to 50 bales of rice), and it is transported to the shrine from the dedicated area the day before the main festival. This rice cake is cut and distributed to worshippers at the Naoi-den Hall from around 8:00 AM on the 14th day of the old lunar calendar, the day after the main ritual. It is believed that eating this rice cake brings protection from illness and disaster, and many worshippers visit to obtain it.

The "Naoi-bito" in Loincloth The central participants of the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri are the "Naoi-bito" (purification people), mainly men who are 25 years old, the traditional age of misfortune. They wear only a white loincloth and white tabi socks, gathering in the severely cold precincts. The sight of several thousand naked men from throughout the Owari region moving dynamically in the sacred space is overwhelming. This appearance symbolizes the essence of the festival: confronting the gods in one's natural human form.

Throwing of the "Shingi" Sacred Sticks At the Anyoji Eyo in Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, the climax involves a performance where bundles of protective talismans called "Shingi" are thrown into the darkness. At 9:05 PM, the secondary Shingi is thrown at the sound of the second drum, followed by the main Shingi at the sound of the third drum, which is thrown into the crowd. At this moment, the lights are turned off, and in the pitch darkness, participants become enveloped in heat and excitement as they scramble for the talismans. The precincts, heated by the fervor of the scramble, represent the true essence of this traditional peculiar festival.

The Sacred Running of the "Kagura" Movements At the Kumano Shrine Naked Festival in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture, participants run back and forth seven and a half times between the main hall and the dance hall, shouting "Yoi-sa, Oi-sa" in the nude. Subsequently, they circle the dance hall three times in pursuit of the return of sacred treasures, followed by a scramble for sacred wands (Gohei). These movements are said to contain traces of divine possession, and the participants' jumping postures are filled with sacred dynamism. Since this festival was already mentioned in the local gazetteer "Tamba-shi" from the Edo period, it is known to have been performed at least from the early modern period.

The Deep Sound of Drums and the Customs of the Dark Night At the Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri, the "Oni Odori" (demon dance) and the procession of the portable shrine in the darkness of the night create a unique atmosphere. The festival proceeds with the deity appearing at midnight on Saturday, transferring to the Taniumi Kunitama Shrine, then touring the parish area on Sunday, and returning to Yanahebi Jinja Shrine at night. In this festival, both participants and spectators are required to observe the "customs of the dark night," maintaining the dignity of the sacred night event. The preservation society is working to ensure that all members follow the safety manual to pass on this tradition to the future.

Simultaneous Holding of Children's and Adults' Eyo A distinctive feature of the Anyoji Eyo is that the adults' Eyo and the children's Eyo are held separately. The participation of children plays an important role in passing on the tradition to the next generation, providing an opportunity to experience the spirit of the festival from a young age. Unlike the adults' Eyo, where men in loincloths scramble for talismans, the children's Eyo is conducted with greater consideration for safety and is crowded with local families. In this way, the sharing of the festival across generations strengthens community bonds.

Event Information and Access

Saidaiji Eyo (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture)

• Timing: Usually held on the second Saturday of February (check the official Saidaiji website for details)
• Location: Saidaiji Naka, Higashi-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
• Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Saidaiji Station, or about 40 minutes by Ryobi Bus from Okayama Station
• Parking: Temporary parking available (use of public transportation is recommended due to expected congestion)
• Contact: Saidaiji Temple (086-942-2013, reception hours 9:00-17:00)
• Check the official website for the latest schedule and availability

Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri (Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture)

• Timing: Usually held on March 1st (check the official Owari Okunitama Shrine website for details)
• Location: 1-1-1 Konomiya, Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Inazawa Station, or about 10 minutes on foot from Meitetsu Konomiya Station
• Parking: Traffic restrictions are in place around the shrine for three days before and after the ritual, and the shrine parking lot is completely unavailable
• Contact: Owari Okunitama Shrine (0587-23-2121, reception hours 9:00-17:00)
• Check the official website for the latest schedule and availability

Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri (Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

• Timing: Usually held on the last weekend of September (check the official Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri Preservation Society website for details)
• Location: 1114-2 Futamata, Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture (Yanahebi Jinja Shrine)
• Access: Approximately 15 minutes by Entetsu Bus from JR Iwata Station, or about 10 minutes by taxi
• Parking: Temporary parking available (use of public transportation is recommended due to traffic restrictions)
• Contact: Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri Preservation Society (0538-32-0086, reception hours 9:00-17:00)
• Check the official website for the latest schedule and availability

Anyoji Eyo (Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture)

• Timing: Every year on the second Saturday of February
• Location: 48 Hayashino, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture
• Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Mimasaka IC on the Chugoku Expressway via National Route 179 towards Himeji
• Parking: Use nearby parking lots (parking capacity is limited, so carpooling is recommended)
• Contact: Anyoji Temple (0868-72-0229, reception hours 9:00-17:00)
• Check the official website for the latest schedule and availability

Kumano Shrine Naked Festival (Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture)

• Timing: Usually held on the first Sunday of October (check with Tamba City Board of Education for details)
• Location: Kumano Shrine, Tozaka, Aogaki-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture
• Access: Approximately 30 minutes by taxi from JR Kaibara Station on the Fukuchiyama Line, or about 30 minutes from Kasuga IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway
• Parking: Temporary parking available (arriving early is recommended due to limited space)
• Contact: Tamba City Board of Education, Social Education and Cultural Properties Division (0795-77-6111, reception hours 9:00-17:30)
• Check the official website for the latest schedule and availability

Surrounding Area Information

In the Higashi-ku area of Okayama City, where the Saidaiji Eyo takes place, there are scattered historical structures such as the main hall and the pagoda of Saidaiji Temple. Saidaiji is a temple of the Shingon sect, and its precincts contain several buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, which can be visited even outside the festival period. The Yoshii River flows nearby, offering seasonal natural scenery along its riverbanks. Access to central Okayama City takes about 40 minutes by bus, making it easy to plan a visit that combines sightseeing at well-known spots such as Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle.

Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture, where the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri is held, is located northwest of Nagoya City. During the festival, many food stalls line the streets around Konomiya Shrine, offering local food and specialty products. The area also features historical sites such as the remains of Owari Kokubunji Temple and Konomiya Shrine, suitable for a stroll. Since Nagoya City is about 20 minutes away by train, it is also easy to visit tourist attractions such as Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine.

Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, where the Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri is held, is a city facing the Enshu-nada Sea and has a history as a post town on the old Tokaido road. Around Futamata Tenjin, there are areas where the townscape of the Edo period remains, allowing for historical walks. Iwata City is also known as the location of the headquarters of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., and has well-developed sports and music-related facilities. The natural environment, including the coast of the Enshu-nada Sea and the riverbanks of the Tenryu River, is also attractive.

Related Information

• The Saidaiji Eyo is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is counted as one of the three major peculiar festivals of Japan.
• The official name of the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri is the "Naoi Shinto Ritual" (Naoi Shinji), and its origins date back approximately 1,250 years.
• The Futamata Tenjin Hadaka Matsuri is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is protected as a national cultural asset.
• The Anyoji Eyo is said to have a history of approximately 800 years, making it one of the oldest naked festivals in Okayama Prefecture, and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Mimasaka City.
• The Kumano Shrine Naked Festival is designated as a City-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture (designated on July 26, 1973), and was already recorded in the Edo period gazetteer "Tamba-shi."
• The Nakata Hadaka Matsuri in the Nishimikawa area of Aichi Prefecture originates from the Konomiya festival, and on the first Sunday of March, a giant rice cake is carried to Nakata Okunitama Shrine.
• The Naked Festival is deeply related to seasonal rituals such as the Shusho-e (New Year's repentance ceremony) and the summer purification rites.
• In many naked festivals, it is customary for participants to perform purification (misogi) beforehand, cleansing their mind and body before approaching the ritual.
• Participants in naked festivals typically wear a loincloth and white tabi socks, with some regions adding unique attire such as headbands or hoods.
• Multiple theories exist regarding the origin of naked festivals, including that they evolved from rituals of offering children to the gods or that purification rituals came to be performed in the nude.

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