Kawasaki Fertility Festival and Yokohama (**WARNING** Contains sexual language, photos, and cultural festivites that some may deem as "explicit" or offensive)...



Kanayama Shrine

 

      For many cultures, the arrival of Spring is surely something to celebrate, Japan included. Springtime brings new life to the land after a long winter; baby birds start to hatch, flowers blossom and, for much of the animal world "love" is in the air. This past weekend we embarked on our first real day trip in Japan. We tagged along with some old friends to the Kawasaki Fertility Festival outside of Tokyo.                                                                              
      This festival is known as Kanamara Matsuri, or "The Festival of the Steel Phallus". It is of Shinto origin, and began during the Edo Period (1603-1867) as a way to drive evil spirits and bad luck out of marriage, pregnancy, family and sexual life. There is a legend that there was once a girl who had a demon living inside her vagina. This demon had killed two of her lovers by biting off their penises. (*This seems like an explanation to an STD to me.) So, the preist created a steel phallus to trick the demon, and break his teeth, therefore destroying said demon. The steel phallus was placed on display and became a symbol of significance to people searching for blessings of fertility and sexual health. It also became a shrine for sex workers to come and pray for business success and protection from STD's (especially syphilis).

     It has now blossomed into a Spring festival where people come from all over to celebrate, make wishes and pray for good health. It is an occasion where Gay, Lesbian, and Trans-gendered individuals can come out in the open and be comfortable in this former Red-light district. Festival activities include a parade of "floats", fundraising for HIV research, lots of food, alcohol (sake), souvenirs and especially the phallus shaped candies, and lollipops which literally everyone is walking around eating...it's quite a sight for your typical American who isn't used to seeing that sort of thing on the street. The "floats" are essentially alters built around very large phalluses (the leader, and largest of all being pink, the black one is made of steel, and there is also a wooden one) are carried by men and women wearing very short costumes and paraded down the street followed by a massive crowd of people all trying to touch them for the blessing. Being there in person, literally pushed/ carried off by the crowd is quite an experience!

    My inner feminist has to say, that this massive celebration of the male reproductive organ seemed for me as yet another male-dominated culture blatantly ignoring the woman's role in reproduction. Especially since, there is also some symbolism including the Samurai involved in this festival. Speaking as both a woman, and a mother, I can honestly say that the woman's role in reproduction is much more vital on both a spiritual and scientific level. Though it is a fascinating religious celebration, it does also seem to be  an example of the suppression of women for centuries in too many cultures....I do not know too much about Japanese history in this aspect and I am looking forward to learning more in the future.

      I try not to be ethnocentric, which is why I'm fine with seeing (and exposing my child to) a large celebratory display of what my culture calls "private parts". I feel that human sexuality is something that can be aknowledged, discussed,  and even celebrated (though most American's would rather keep that topic behind closed curtains), but I just wish a little more credit was given where it is due....

Photos:

The short outfits worn by the people partaking in the parade.

I was gonna say a sore thumb, but it stands out like...well...a giant pink penis...

One of the alters.

The gorgeous shrine building.

Penis Energy Ball a.k.a takoyaki (grilled octopus balls)

During the parade, as we were literally being carried away by the pushy crowd.

Marcus getting Benjamin a blessing for a healthy and fertile life.

Alice!?....Dueces!

      After all of this craziness...since it was still early in the day our friends took us to Yokohama for some less crazy fun. We hopped the train to Minatomirai in Yokohama and went up in  the World's 2nd Largest Ferris Wheel. We also had a $5 cup of Starbucks drip coffee and a great time! Minatomirai is like a giant playground/ Amusement Park only a short ride from home, so I'm sure we'll go back often. We finished up the night with some tasty American style BBQ, and a train ride home. Such a fun day... You should see what I'm planning for us to go do this weekend...until then... peace!

Waiting for the train.

I was only a little nervous as I'm kinda scared of heights.

Cosmo Clock 21...I read somewhere it's the world's largest digital clock.

Not the World's tallest Ferris Wheel, at only 353 ft. tall!
The tallest is in Osaka and is 369 ft. tall, we'll get there eventually.