Sunday May 27, 2012

Cold dip

Picture of the Day ( 26 )

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AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi

Physical fitness enthusiasts pray during a dip in icy water at Teppozu Inari Shinto Shrine in Tokyo on Sunday. The ritual is meant to keep themselves fit and display their perseverance.

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26 Comments

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  • 5

    Braindead

    Marriage is a better test of perseverance.

  • 3

    Mr Sushi

    Phycial fitness enthusiasts?.... the big fat guy in the front looks more like an aspiring Sumo wrestler.

  • 2

    some14some

    "The ritual is meant to keep themselves fit and display their perseverance..." women do it without taking a dip in icy water :)

  • 1

    ebisen

    braindead - I disagree - it only become so when the two partners are not a good fit. To be on topic: is that a block of ice :) ? Let's title this picture "Fatty on ice"...

  • 2

    calm down

    These guys would be better off displaying their perseverence in the sauna

  • 0

    taijing

    i am sure there are other ways to keep fit.

  • 1

    the_harper

    I've seen someone have a heart attack after falling into ice-cold water. I don't think I'd recommend it as a fitness regime! It's an interesting photo though; another aspect of Japanese culture.

  • 1

    globalwatcher

    This is something cardiologists would not do.

  • -1

    Reckless

    These guys are tough. Give them their due.

  • -4

    hoserfella

    These guys are tough. Give them their due.

    these guys are idiots. Probably a bunch of shogakko principals who will insist their students run around in shorts and t shirts next week to "toughen them up".

    • Moderator

      Please do not make disparaging remarks on topics that you know nothing about. It reflects badly on yourself.

  • 2

    Jessica Marie Sato

    Why is it always only guys? I don't see any chicks in that sausage fest looking to take a dip.

  • 8

    Serrano

    "Why is it only guys?"

    Guys are dumber than girls!

  • 1

    Foxie

    That's the spirit: Never, never, never give up!

  • -2

    The Munya Times

    I can see a huge ice-cube but I don't know how cold the water actually is. I know some people train themselves with cold water, snow-bathing naked and one from ten thousand can do it, but these ones, sitting in icy water in group for prolonged time is somewhat bizarre.

    Anyone knows how long they do this?

    I am afraid they will bear the consequences for this later, maybe after many years when they will lose the association between their disease and this ice bathing. Bladder, kidney, joint and cardiovascular disorders guaranteed for most of them.

    They are praying, so they believe in God. Couldn't they keep themselves fit and prove their perseverance by doing something better, e.g. helping the week, homeless, go and visit the Fukushima victims at tough places etc.

    I never met God I don't know him personally, but I never heard about him asking people to go to sacred places and soak in icy water while praying. It's a wonder how so many people loses their common sense. I can't admire them, sorry.

    My only hope that senselessness is not infectious and other young disciples will be spared from destroying their health

  • -1

    MaboDofuIsSpicy

    I like it when cold water rushes down my back when in my winter wet suit.

  • 1

    gaijinfo

    I'm not sure that jumping into a bucket cold water once a year signifies you as a "fitness enthusiast." I believe this, like most other events of this kind, are done for show only. I doubt any of these "fitness enthusiasts" would jump into an ice cold pond if they weren't allowed to tell anybody about it.

  • 1

    Laguna

    Just looking at that photo makes my 金玉 seek shelter deeper up my abdomen. But then, I'm from LA: it's probably not much colder than January surfing.

  • 1

    movieguy

    There isn't even ONE individual in this picture who looks physically fit. They might WANT TO BE and they may think that putting themselves in danger will build endurance, but they will not become "fit" by performing ridiculous activities like this.

  • 0

    It"S ME

    movieguy.

    If you think phsyical fit(aka muscular) or not overweight you are dead wrong.

    Most of the warriors across the ages didn't look like the guys you see in 300 or Spartacus. Gladiators and most warriors were rather beefy had extra fat padding(protection from shallow cuts, etc).

    Neither does muscular mass = real strength, speed, etc.

    Seen similar done across most countries across the globe. and that includes most 1st world nations.

  • -2

    It"S ME

    Same way I can introduce you to a host of skinny/wiry guys that will put you and many others to shame.

    Forget Hollyweird and the media.

  • 0

    The Munya Times

    Most of the warriors across the ages didn't look like the guys you see in 300 or Spartacus.

    Those warriors didn't even dip in icy water to prove themselves and the world that they are worthy. Is this a way to do that? And why just speaking about warriors when it comes to the issue of proving perseverance? Didn't e.g. Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi,Torajiro Yamada, and I could write this page full with great names, prove their human value and extraordinary perseverance by doing amazing things?

    God save us from these guys become idols of perseverance.

    I know it is a ritual but not all rituals deserve respect automatically. Life and health deserves more respect.

    And at Teppozu Inari Shinto Shrine. Religious rituals? It's human nature to seek for danger in order to prove worthiness as many of us lives in the bond of addiction and fervor. Helping us to find the way out from this bondage, religion gave so much for humans such as , moral, faith, family values, honesty. Sure there are many religions and rituals matching different cultures and they are simplified teachings and guidance to the world of God and creation, but this dangerous and useless attraction is not what can teach anything, these kind of things should not be connected to ancient teachings of religion. It is not in the scriptures.

    Do it separately for show as gaijinfoJan. 09, 2012 - 02:00PM JST put it. If it goes on like this what's next, even bungee jumping can become a religious ritual performed at sacred places. Don't laugh at me, anything can happen.

  • 2

    lostrune2

    Why is it always only guys?

    Because girls will melt the ice with their hot flashes.

  • 0

    Blair Herron

    There are some women, too.

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/photos-news/Photos-DayInPictures/Jan9dayinpics/Article4-648147.aspx

  • 1

    Elbuda Mexicano

    If this cold ritual rocks their boat, fine by me, but I HATE THE COLD, so if their was a NEW kind of ritual, say in an ONSEN?? I could pray their all day in the nice HOT WATER but cold water and ice, heck no.

  • 0

    oberst

    if they are that tough, they should stand under a waterfall in the winter

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