Many half-naked men are chanting as they push and jostle their way towards the shrine. “Washoi Washoi” they scream – come on, let’s go.
For 1,250 years, the Naked Festival at Konomiya Shrine in central Japan has hardly changed. It’s a yearly event.
But this year something big is different.
Apart from the group of men, another group of women are going to be the first ones to participate.
The women here know they are doing something important that will be remembered. In Japan, it’s really hard for women to find a place in places that are usually for men. Last year, Japan was ranked 125 out of 146 countries for gender equality.
They were always there.
“Atsuko Tamakoshi, whose family has been working at the Konomiya festival for a long time, says that women have always worked very hard behind the scenes to help the men during the festival. ”
However, it seems like no one has ever thought of participating in the festival where men try to drive away evil spirits and pray for happiness at the shrine.
Naruhito Tsunoda says there has never been a real ban. No one had ever asked before.
And when they tried, they found the answer quickly.
“I think it’s important for everyone to have a fun festival. ” I believe that God would also be very pleased with that,” he told news agency Reuters.
Not everyone in the community was as friendly.
“Many people were worried about us joining in. They asked, ‘Why are women in a men’s festival. ‘ and said, ‘This festival is for men, it’s important,'” said Tamakoshi, a 56-year-old grandmother.
But we all agreed on what we wanted to do together. We thought that if we were honest, God would take care of us.
The women waiting are truly honest. They are not naked.
Instead of wearing loincloths, many people are wearing long purple robes called “happi coats” and white shorts. They are also carrying their own bamboo offerings.
They won’t be in the rush with the men to the shrine or pushing and shoving to touch the chosen man at the shrine. The tradition says that touching him is supposed to make evil spirits go away.
This moment is still important.
“I think things have really changed now,” Yumiko Fujie tells the media. “But I also feel like I have to do my part. ”
These women are not just breaking rules about men and women by taking part. They are also continuing to do things the same way as before.
This week, a festival where people are naked at Kokuseki Temple in Japan’s north said it would be the last time they have this festival. There were not enough young people to continue the festival.
Japan has a lot of old people compared to other countries. This past year, over 10% of people were 80 years old or older for the first time. At the same time, there were only 800,000 babies born last year and each woman on average had only 1. 3
It’s time for the women to go to the shrine.
They stand in two straight lines and hold long bamboo sticks with red and white ribbons wrapped around them.
Atsuko Tamakoshi is in the front, using her whistle to start the rhythmic chant that the men have been saying for a long time.
“The women are shouting ‘Washoi Washoi’. ”
The women are concentrating on the moves and speed that they have been practicing for weeks. They understand that they must do this correctly.
Knowing that the media and people are watching them, they are smiling nervously but also excited.
The people watching are cheering and telling the person to keep going, even though it’s very cold.
They go into the courtyard of the Konomiya Shinto shrine and get sprayed with cold water, just like the men. It seems to make them even more energetic.
After their gift is approved, the women finish the ceremony by doing two bows, two claps, and one last bow, which is the traditional way to say goodbye.
And then, I realize how big this moment is. The women started cheering, jumping, hugging, and crying in excitement. “Thank you very much. Thank you” They say to each other and the crowd claps for them.
“I cried a lot,” Michiko Ikai says. “I didn’t think I could do it, but now I feel proud of myself. ”
As the women leave the shrine, people from the public want to take pictures with them and media want to ask them questions. They willingly agree.
“I did it. ” “I am very happy,” Mineko Akahori tells the media. “I’m very thankful that I, as a woman, could take part for the first time. ”
Her friend Minako Ando says it’s great to be the first to do something like this.
“Hiromo Maeda says that things are changing. ” Her family has been operating a small hotel that has accommodated some of the men attending the local festival for the past 30 years.
“I believe we both pray for the same things. ” Gender doesn’t make a difference. We both love the same thing.
Atsuko Tamakoshi has been important today, and now she can think about what they have all accomplished together. She feels happy and emotional.
“My husband always joins in this festival,” she tells the media. “I always watched from the sidelines. ” I am very thankful and happy right now.