Hadaka Matsuri, a naked festival, held in Japan

Participants, dressing in white loincloth, serving as a thong, pose for a photograph prior to taking part in the Hadaka Matsuri, at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, Japan, Feb. 16, 2019. Hadaka Matsuri is a naked festival held annually across the country. The most famous ones are held at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, where participants fight for sacred wooden sticks thrown by a priest on the evening of the third Saturday in February. This year, some 9,000 men have gathered for the sticks, the symbol of happiness and good fortune for the year to come. [Photo: VCG]