A man who lost consciousness after taking part in the Saidaiji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri, commonly known as the Naked Man Festival, held in February in Okayama Prefecture, was confirmed dead on March 17.

He is the second fatality linked to the event, following the death of another participant confirmed on March 9.

Men clad only in loincloths vie for sacred wooden sticks in this traditional festival with a history spanning more than 500 years. It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

On February 21, about 10,000 men surged forward to seize sacred wooden sticks thrown into the crowd, as spectators looked on.

The event’s organizing association said it “solemnly accepts the irreversible fact that two precious lives have been lost” and will devote every effort to determine the cause of the incident.

According to the organizers, this is the first fatal accident at the venue since 2007.