Wearing nothing but loin clothes, around 9,000 men took part in Hadaka Matsuri, or Naked Festival at Saidaiji Temple in Japan Okayama. They crammed into the temple and battled to grab the sacred talisman thrown into the crowd by priests.
The ritual began in 1510, according to the temple’s website. The lucky ones are guaranteed happiness in the year to come.
Men cram into the temple waiting for priests to drop the sacred talisman at the Hadaka Matsuri, or naked festival at Saidaiji Templein Okayama, Japan. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty Images
Some 9,000 men battle to grab a pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests in one of the most vibrant festivals in Japan. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty Images
A participant inserts a paper with his name, blood type and emergency contact number into his loincloth at the Saidaiji Temple. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty 
A boy rides on the shoulders of his grandfather on the way to purification at the temple. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty 
Men cram to grab the sacred talisman at the Hadaka Matsuri at the Saidaiji Temple in Okayama, Japan. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty
A loincloth and a paper with vital health and contact information are needed to participate in the festival. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty 
Men rush to escape the freezing water that is part of the purification process at the temple. Photograph: Trevor Williams/Getty
