Viewer’s discretion is advised. 😀
This just in.
Yesterday, I went to witness a unique festival.
Why is it unique? …
Yes, it is what you think it is.
- The Shinto Kanamara Matsuri, “Festival of the Steel Phallus”, is held each spring at the Wakamiya Hachimangu in Kawasaki, Japan. The event falls on the first Sunday of April. The penis, as the central theme of the event, is reflected in illustrations, candy, carved vegetables, and a mikoshi parade.
- The Kanamara Matsuri is centered around a local penis-venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection from sexually transmitted diseases. It is said that there are also divine protections for business prosperity and for the clan’s property; and for easy delivery, marriage, and married couple harmony.
I usually would stay around for this kind of event to witness everything but it was so crowded for such tiny main area.
- Shrine dedicated to Emperor Nintoku, the god of reclamation, in the hope of controlling the waters of the Tama River.
Plus, it’s a parade anyways. You stick around to one spot of the parade route and you’d see the majority of the event.
Instead, I explored the grounds of Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple.
- The head temple of Shigonshu-Chisan Buddhism, famous for the miraculous and protective saint that eliminiates and prevents all troubles and accidents.
I loved it here! So much tastes, sights and sounds to observe, absorb, relish and enjoy.
- Nakamise Dori is a street pack lined of stalls selling rock sweets, kuzu mochi, and daruma dolls for souvenir.
- Hakkaku Gojunto (five-storied pagoda) was completed to celebrate the 1150th anniversary of the death of Kobo Daishi in 1984. It symbolizes expansiveness and integrity.
Yes, cherry blossoms are starting to, for the lack of a better word, blossom.
- The statue of Henro Daishi was constructed as a project to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi in 1973. Many believers wishing to have strong legs come to the temple.
Last calls…
- Today, Kawasaki Fertility Festival is used to raise money for HIV research.
The Sophomore Slump 
Never imagined there are events on such issues too, but still a worthy cause! We all need to be aware, no?
Absolutely! I think the benefit to HIV research is separate from the concept of the festival. It’s still worthy both ways.
Welll….okay then.
🙂
Um..oh my! 🙂
It looks like great fun.
Great post, never heard of a festival like that before…
I only heard about from another blogger, read about from way back when. I never really thought I got to witness it my own. Thanks for the comment and visit.
In the pink eh? 😉 Aside from that, you’ve captured some cool street shots here!
My walk around did balance the outrageous nature of the festivity.
what’s that pink thing?
Uhm …. ah …. it’s the …. uhm … it’s ahhh….uhm….something that…uhm…that ahh …. it’s the thing where …. uhm …. it’s a penis. 😀
Hahahahah, no it’s not. It’s a the replica. Lol.
Lovely captures. 🙂
Thanks!
Brilliant and hilarious Rommel! Thank you for sharing these great pics, I couldn’t believe those lolly-pops!!
It is hilarious. Just imagine a lot of people walking around sucking on those lollies …. including men!
😀😁😂😯😌
Wow. This was quite an eye opener. I had this idea in my mind of Japanese people being overly polite and reticent, the way they bow to one another etc.. This myth has been shattered once and for all by your lollipop photos. 😀 Love the cherry blossom/pagoda capture. What a festival! Thanks for sharing.
It’s not a myth!!! 🙂
Yes, celebrate the penis!
High Five!
😀
Good thing, we were warned right at the start. Lol
Yup. Parental Guidance is advised. 😀
That is so interesting! It isn’t a surprise that they have a fertility festival; as I’ve seen, several cultures in Asia have temples for such as well where they pray to a bronze phallus, but what surprised me was the lolly! That aside, your photos are stunning.
Whoa! Never actually heard of those. So, do they actually bow down or actually touch the phallus?
Hmm, that I don’t know. But as I’ve heard during my studies about various Asian religions, I’d learnt that they had shrines and temples like that in Bhutan, Thailand, etc etc.
Fun and games! 🙂 Oh, you lucky duck, to be there at blossom time. 🙂
Yeah, I slipped a little something to my employer to send me to Japan in time for cherry blossoms. Ahihihi 😀
See that mask worn by the person under the big hat in your first shot? I’ve seen classic Japanese paintings of how lesbians would wear the mask over their pubic areas as a prosthetic penis during sexual intercourse. Most westerners don’t realize the double use of such masks when they see them typically worn on faces.
WOW, Allan. You really do know a lot. I remember your comments when I was in Okinawa. You might as well present my posts. Ahihihi 🙂 It’s a compliment, by the way.
I actually submitted that particular photo for a contest here. Oooops 😀
No wonder they’re all smiles!!! Haha. Unique indeed.
Yup, and at the end of it, they all felt …. uhm …. satisfied. Ahihihihi 😀
What a cool history and tradition. Love the accessories. HA!
Hindus worship the phallic symbol. But it is never pink 😀 Fun shots Rommel. The white temple looks so Indian.
Can you imagine the scandal that would occur in the USA is some town did this?! On the other hand, we venerate male gratification at drunken parties and in the movies. Did they pass out condoms as well as pray for protection from sexually transmitted diseases? Oscar