FUKUOKA, Jun 04 (News On Japan) - Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture hosted its traditional Hekokaki Festival on June 1st, where men clad in red fundoshi loincloths prayed for protection from misfortune and good health. The event, held annually at Koura Shrine, is a Shinto ritual dating back to the Edo period and drew around 100 participants from across Japan this year.
At 4:30 a.m., dozens of men began gathering in a dark plaza, brimming with anticipation. Participants received a red hachimaki headband and a red fundoshi—essential attire for the event. Among the attendees was RKB reporter Ryosuke Baba, who experienced wearing a fundoshi for the first time and remarked, "It tightens your rear. Feels like it splits your backside."
The name "Hekokaki" comes from local dialect: heko refers to a fundoshi, and kaku means "to wear."
Following a purification ritual (oharai), participants performed a warm-up mimicking rowing movements called torifune. Then came the misogi purification, where men immersed themselves in cold water despite the morning low of 14.3°C in Kurume.
"It’s freezing," Baba gasped, while other participants agreed, shivering.
With the purification complete, the men 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 covered about three kilometers before reaching the final challenge: climbing 131 stone steps to the shrine. Baba later said, "My calves and thighs were burning. It was tough."
At the top, participants passed through a two-meter-wide chinowa grass ring, a symbolic act to pray for continued health and protection.
Some were clearly exhausted. "The steps were the hardest part," said 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 asked if he’d join again next year, he replied, "No, too embarrassing."
Families also took part in the event. One father said, "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
