On the night of January 14, 2024, a ''naked dance'' in which men and boys wearing lower sashes slammed their bodies into each other as they vowed their devotion to Buddha took place at Hokaiji Temple in Hino, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. For the first time in four years, chants of ''chorai'' echoed through the shrine grounds after the festival was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
To coincide with the Kechigan memorial service, which is held on the last day of the Shusho-e, which begins on New Year's Day to pray for a good harvest and good health, residents dedicate dances to pray for good health for the year ahead.
As the monks chanting sutras from the main hall, Yakushi-do, echoed throughout the precincts, four children first went up to the wide veranda of the Amida-do hall and performed a dance while chanting ''chorai, chorai,'' which signifies devotion to Buddha. The worshipers chanted together, and when the dance was finished, there was a big round of applause. Next, 10 adults poured water on themselves to cleanse themselves, and then violently slammed their bodies into each other.
