With the arrival of spring, there is one day when the city of Kawasaki becomes a little more festive.
That is the “Kanamara Festival” held every April!
The people who fill the grounds of the festival grounds are holding A giant phallic penis!
If you are a first time visitor, you may be surprised at the sight of a handsome pink deity being carried around and foreign tourists smiling and licking phallic-shaped candies.
What? Japan has a festival like this? Many people are surprised to see such a festival in Japan.
But actually, Kanamara Matsuri is very popular overseas as well!
It’s been buzzed about on SNS and YouTube as “Japan’s crazy festival,” and many foreign tourists flock to the festival every year.â
But this festival is not just a “strange festival!
In fact, it is a historical festival filled with the phallic beliefs and unique culture of sexuality that has taken root in Japan since ancient times.
Why are there so many phallic festivals in Japan?
Why is it so popular among foreigners?
What is the true meaning of this festival?
We will answer these questions and more as we delve deep into the history of the Kanamara Festival and its significance in today’s world.
Contents
The roots of the Kanamara Festival! Why does phallic belief exist in Japan?
Many people wonder, “Why is there a culture of phallic worship in Japan in the first place?” I’m sure many of you are wondering “Why does Japan have a phallic worship culture in the first place?
In fact, there are phallic worship cultures not only in Japan but all over the world! However, Japanese phallic worship is a bit unique.
One of the reasons is the prayer for “good harvest” and “prosperity of offspring”.
For people in the past, harvesting crops and increasing population were important for the prosperity of the village and the country.
That is why they regarded the phallic symbol of life as sacred and worshipped it as an object of faith.
Also, Japanese culture was open about sex. was also a major factor!
In modern Japan, it is often considered “erotic” or “vulgar,” but in the past, sex was not something to be abhorred, but rather treated as something sacred.
So, it was not shameful to worship the phallic body, but rather, it was a very natural thing to do.
What is the origin of the Kawasaki Kanamara Festival?
One of the festivals where phallic worship remains strong is the “Kanamara Festival.
This festival is held at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture! The name already gives you a hint of what to expect…♡
Kanayama Shrine is a shrine for blacksmiths and prosperous business, but it is also said to bring blessings such as protection against sexually transmitted diseases and prayers for easy childbirth.
This festival began in the Edo period (1603-1867). At that time, Kawasaki was a prosperous lodging town where many travelers came and went.
In those days, prostitutes had a custom to visit this shrine as a “protection against sexually transmitted diseases”.
Over time, this custom developed into a festival to worship the phallic penis and became the current “Kanamara Festival”.
Even today, many people visit the shrine to pray for protection against sexually transmitted diseases and for safe delivery.
Why is it so popular among foreigners?
The Kanamara Festival is extremely popular not only in Japan but also overseas!
The reason for this is because of the buzz on SNS as “crazy and unique Japanese culture,” but that’s not the only reason.
Many people overseas have an image of Japanese sexual culture as “modest and reserved.
But the Kanamara Festival has the destructive power to completely overturn that image! (Laughter)
“I didn’t know Japanese people were so open!” How free they are to have a festival about sex! Many foreigners were surprised and impressed by the festival!
And many foreign media and YouTubers were surprised and impressed, saying, “I want to go there in person! And then, foreign media and YouTubers started to cover the festival, making it a world-famous festival at a stroke.
The Kanamara Festival is also gaining support from the LGBTQ+ community and is attracting attention as a “festival that celebrates sexual diversity”.
Highlights of the Kanamara Festival! A handsome and thorough guide on how to enjoy the festival!
I want to go to the Kanamara Festival, but what is it all about?”
What are the highlights? How can I enjoy it?
For those who have such questions, we have compiled a handsome list of points to keep in mind and how to enjoy the Kanamara Festival.
Whether you are a first time visitor or a repeat visitor, you will surely be able to enjoy the Kanamara Festival 120% after reading this ♡.
The biggest attraction of the Kanamara Festival is, by far, the “Elizabeth Mikoshi” ♪
This is a portable shrine with a huge, pink, phallic-shaped deity, and is a big hit every year!
The Elizabeth MIKOSHI is carried by the “Elizabeth Kai”, a group of drag queens ♡ This is the reason why the Kanamara Festival is also called the “festival of gay men” ♪
The festival is also a place to celebrate sexual diversity, as many LGBTQ+ people participate in the festival.
One of the highlights of the festival is the flashy costumes and make-up of the bearers!
The sight of drag queens in colorful dresses and gorgeous make-up parading around carrying pink phallic bodies is truly breathtaking ♡.
The Kanamara Festival is also characterized by the abundance of phallic motif souvenirs! You can find a wide variety of unique items that are usually hard to find.
Especially popular is “penis candy” (official name: Kanamara candy)!
This colorful and pop candy is shaped like a phallic penis and is very popular among tourists and foreigners ♪ It comes in a variety of colors such as pink, purple, and orange, making it a handsome, photo-worthy item.
Phallic-shaped amulets, T-shirts, key chains, and other items are also available for purchase, making it a fun place to pick out souvenirs! If you are looking for a souvenir that your friends will like, this is the place for you! It’s perfect for those who are looking for a souvenir that will be a hit with their friends!
Speaking of festivals, food stalls are an indispensable part of the festivities.
Particularly popular is the “phallic-shaped sausage!
It looks like a hot dog, with juicy sausage sandwiched between two pieces of bread. …… It looks just like a cock, so it’s a big hit!
Other sweets to wish for prosperity of offspring such as “Kanamara-manju” and “Kanamara-yaki (dorayaki-style)” are also available, and all of them are delicious!
If you go to the Kanamara Festival, please pay attention to the fashion of the participants.
Many people wear slightly sexy costumes and colorful outfits for the festival, making it look like an overseas pride parade.
Many tourists, especially those from overseas, come to the Kanamara Festival as a “fun event,” so they often come in flamboyant fashions and fancy dress.
If you are wondering, “What should I wear? If you are wondering “What kind of clothes should I wear?”, you can go with a “little erotic and fashionable” style ♡ If you go to the trouble, let’s enjoy the fashion that you can’t usually do ♡.
Conclusion
Kanamara Festival is not just a “strange festival” but also a handsome festival that celebrates sexual diversity and the importance of life.
If you are going to participate in this festival, you should not only watch the festival but also carry the portable shrine, lick the penis candy, enjoy the food, and have fun with all your heart.
Don’t be shy about asking yourself, “Is this a slightly naughty festival?” Don’t be shy about it, just try it with an open mind as a part of Japanese traditional culture, and you may discover something new!
Text by miumiureise
