I recently returned to Japan to give some copies of my book Divine Encounters to the people who so graciously assisted me in taking the photos for the chapter on the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri, 12 years ago. Inoko-san (pictured to my left) who provided amazing access to photograph every aspect of the festival, and Ogawa-san (to my right), the God-man at that time, chosen to be the absorber of all misfortune exorcized from the community.

It was a pleasure to meet these fine gentlemen again and to witness once more the final day of one of Japan’s most exciting “naked festivals.” Much to my delight the proceedings were as adrenaline rushing as 12 years ago, when I photographed the complete festival right from the first day.

Here is a short clip of the final stage, the rescuing of the naked Shin Otoko from the hands of the excited and unruly crowd, all intend on touching the God-man in a desperate attempt to exorcise their misfortune.