🏮 Hadaka Odori

裸踊り

Kyoto (法界寺) · Every year on 14 January

The Hokai-ji Hadaka Odori (Naked Dance, or Shusho-e) held on January 14 at Hokai-ji Temple in Kyoto is a traditional rite of a temple of the Shingon sect's Daigo branch. The temple is said to have begun in 1051, when Hino Sukenari converted the Hino family's mountain villa into a temple, and it is also known as the birthplace of Saint Shinran. The naked dance is the concluding rite of the Shusho-e, an important ceremony that closes the religious assembly solemnly performed at the Yakushi-do hall from New Year's Day over 14 days. On the night of the closing day, boys and young and middle-aged believers who have purified themselves gather at the broad veranda of the Amida-do hall, strip to nothing but loincloths, and offer a dance while repeatedly shouting "chorai" (obeisance). The children's part is offered from around 19:30, the adults' part from around 20:00, and it ends around 20:30. On the day, goo talismans are distributed, and the loincloths used in the dance are widely believed to be good as belly bands for pregnant women. Kasu-jiru soup is also served at the venue, and a brave dance of prayer unfolds on the cold night.

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