For the first time in Japan, women are allowed to participate
The Japanese Naked Festival, also known as the "Huiyang Festival", is one of the traditional festivals in Japan. Held every year on the 13th day of the Lunar New Year, participants parade through the streets in near-naked fashion, wearing only a pair of thongs and white socks. This tradition originated 1,250 years ago in the Nara period to celebrate a good harvest and welcome the arrival of the new year.
At the Naked Festival, male participants process, pray, and compete to touch the person known as the "god man" in the belief that this will bring good luck. Those who are chosen as "men of God" are seen as divine beings who are able to bring well-being and good luck to people. This traditional custom has deep historical roots and cultural connotations in Japanese society.
However, this year's Naked Festival ushered in a historic moment. At the request and appeal of local women, a shrine in Aichi Prefecture opened 40 women to participate in the nude festival for the first time. Although the female participants did not strip naked or compete with the male participants to touch the "god man", this change is still significant for Japan's tradition of valuing men. #Record My 2024# #你好, 2024#
