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If there's one thing you learn about Japan while living here, it's that they love celebrations.
From simple ones like a town festival to more elaborate ones like Honen Matsuri. Honen Matsuri
is a fertility festival held every year on March 15th.
It takes place at Tagata jinja in Komaki, a city north of Nagoya.
Tagata jinja is a Shinto shrine dedicated to fertility both for fields and for families.
This shrine uses a phallus as its symbol of fertility.
It is adorned with *** statues, *** carvings, and even a bell shaped like male
genitalia.
During the festival, everything, and I mean everything, is presented in *** form.
All ages flock to buy *** treats and trinkets.
There were lots of smiles and laughs shared over purchases, so I of course decided to
join in on the fun.
Ryann: "I officially just bought my first *** banana at the festival.
It has a nice pink tip.
Somethings going wrong here.
Green. Not ok.
I'd also like to point out, the big fat vein running down the little chocolate ***. Interesting.
Let's see how it tastes.
That's good banana ***."
I even got some omiyage, or souvenirs, for my Japanese friends, even though Felicity
and I weren't quite sure how it would go over...
Ryann: "Is it awkward to buy them penises, or funny?"
But just to make sure it wouldn't be offensive we decided to ask someone.
There were so many sizes, colors, and flavors to choose from! We were lucky that all of
our choices were delicious!
Felicity: "It's already been in Ryann's mouth... but let's give it a try. "
Ryann: "How is it?"
Felicity: "It's really good"
Finally it was time for the parade!
This year being an odd numbered year, the procession started at Kumano shrine led by
a man spreading salt to cleanse the pathway.
After that 36 year old women from the community carried 60 cm or 20 inch wooden phalluses
that bystanders could rub for good luck.
36 is seen as an unlucky age for women and serving in the procession aids in counteracting
the bad fortune associated with this year.
Throughout the parade, seemingly unlimited sake, seaweed and squid were passed out to
the masses.
Men from the community aged 42, their unlucky year, were in charge of carrying the portable
shrines.
Their burden was heavy and they often took breaks.
Although with the slope of the road and their position under the shrine some men were luckier
than others.
Finally the carved phallus made its big entrance.
Every winter, a new cypress tree is chosen, cut down, and blessed.
It is then handed over to a craftsman to carve using only traditional tools and wearing special
clothing for this sacred act.
The phallus is 60 cm or almost 2 feet in diameter and 2 meters or 13 feet long.
All pieces included, the portable shrine weighs 400 kilos or 885 lbs.
As if parading a giant *** down the street isn't exciting enough, the men have fun and
keep it interesting by bouncing the shrine up and down, spinning it in a circle, or lifting
it above their heads at full arm's length.
Once the procession reaches Tagata jinja the portable shrines are placed in the main building,
prayed over, and offered to the gods along with food and drinks.
This year's phallus will replace last year's and last year's will be sold off to make a
new home in a private residence or local business.
Honen Matsuri is well worth the trip for a festive, shocking, and entertaining cultural experience.