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

Recently, for the first time in 1,250 years, women were allowed to participate in Japan’s famous “Hadaka Matsuri” or Naked Festival. The event, held annually in Okayama Prefecture, sees thousands of men strip down to loincloths and compete to grab sacred sticks thrown by priests to bring good luck for the coming year.

Traditionally, only men were allowed to take part in the festival due to its religious origins and the belief that the ceremony would lose its power if women were involved. However, in recent years there has been a growing push for gender equality in Japan, leading to calls for women to be included in the event.

After much debate and controversy, this year marked a historic moment as women were finally permitted to join the festivities. While they were not allowed to remove their clothes like the men, female participants were able to take part in other aspects of the ritual, such as carrying portable shrines and assisting in the ceremonies.

The decision to include women in the Naked Festival has been hailed as a step forward for gender equality in Japan and a sign of changing attitudes towards traditional practices. While some purists may have opposed the move, many see it as a positive development that reflects the evolving values of Japanese society.