In Okayama, in Western Japan nestled between fashionable Kobe and lively Hiroshima, an annual festival takes place in February, as it has for hundreds of years. In years past, “Shin Otoko”, divine men, ventured to the Shinto temple to rid the area of evil spirits.
From the Showa era, the festival has become a lively and masculine event known for wild fistfights and brawls. At Midnight, the lights are cut and the spectators looks on as the head of the temple, throw small sticks called “shingi” into the crowd. One, especially large and auspicious stick is fought over, and carried several hundred meters through the gates of the temple.
Whoever is able to complete this herculean task has, at least metaphorically, the biggest stick in town.
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(Re-upload note: The original (still available) had audio which was in violation of copyright, and no narration.)
AloJapan.com