FUKUOKA, Jun 04 (News On Japan) –
Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture hosted its conventional Hekokaki Festival on June 1st, the place males clad in crimson fundoshi loincloths prayed for cover from misfortune and good well being. The occasion, held yearly at Koura Shrine, is a Shinto ritual courting again to the Edo interval and drew round 100 members from throughout Japan this 12 months.
At 4:30 a.m., dozens of males started gathering in a darkish plaza, brimming with anticipation. Participants obtained a crimson hachimaki headband and a crimson fundoshi—important apparel for the occasion. Among the attendees was RKB reporter Ryosuke Baba, who skilled carrying a fundoshi for the primary time and remarked, “It tightens your rear. Feels like it splits your backside.”
The identify “Hekokaki” comes from native dialect: heko refers to a fundoshi, and kaku means “to wear.”
Following a purification ritual (oharai), members carried out a warm-up mimicking rowing actions referred to as torifune. Then got here the misogi purification, the place males immersed themselves in chilly water regardless of the morning low of 14.3°C in Kurume.
“It’s freezing,” Baba gasped, whereas different members agreed, shivering.
With the purification full, the boys set off for Koura Shrine. Nearby residents cheered them on, one noting, “They look impressive—the way they wear the fundoshi is dignified.”
The procession coated about three kilometers earlier than reaching the ultimate problem: climbing 131 stone steps to the shrine. Baba later mentioned, “My calves and thighs were burning. It was tough.”
At the highest, members handed by means of a two-meter-wide chinowa grass ring, a symbolic act to wish for continued well being and safety.
Some had been clearly exhausted. “The steps were the hardest part,” mentioned a first-time attendee. A Sri Lankan technical trainee added, “We have festivals in my country, but nothing like this. Showing your backside is embarrassing.” When requested if he’d be part of once more subsequent 12 months, he replied, “No, too embarrassing.”
Families additionally took half within the occasion. One father mentioned, “I passed the tradition on to my son. Someday, I hope he’ll do this with his own child.”
Source: RKB毎日放送NEWS