Tagata Jinja
Gave a 3 minute speech in class today, I was amazed at how fast I succeeded in memorizing the thing, it went without incident, but I`m jealous that the lower classes get to do skits, and we have to do formal speeches. Ah well, c`est la vie. Had the essay part of my next test today, and the rest is on monday. So we all know what Allie will be doing on Sunday evening *pout*
But as for tomorrow, I get to go to another festival! I wonder why I seem to end up in the corner of Japan with all of the really weird festivals. Last month was the men wearing loincloths, and tomorrow is the Tagata-jinja "fertility festival" I have included a quote on a history and nature of this festival below. Oh well, any place that has vendors selling takoyaki balls and green-tea ice cream crepes makes Allie happy! And I feel almost required to go to this one because, it`s just so weird that I`d feel guilty to not take this opportunity of another weird story to tell, and pictures to bring back the absurdity to the US.
"Tagata Jinja’s Fertilaty Festival
Honen Matsuri
On Saturday March 15 an estimated 100,000 people of all
ages,from throughout Japan and all over the globe, will
gather at Tagatashrine in Komaki City to see this somewhat
crazy and bizarre festival. Honen Matsuri, meaning
festival for "a prosperous year
in Japanese, has been held since the Yayoi period almost
2000 years ago and is dedicated to the god Mitoshi-no-Kami
and the goddess Tamahime-no-Mikoto. The festival
originated with prayers for a prosperous harvest and is
based on the belief that for
everything to grow, develop and be prosperous mother earth
must be impregnated by father heaven.
The main attraction of the festival is a procession of
carved wooden erect phalli of all sizes, the largest being
the O-owasegata which is 2 meters long, 60 centimeters
wide, and weighs in at more than 400kg! (1000 pounds).
Newly made each year from Hinoki or
Japanese cypress, the phallus is carried on a mikoshi
(portable shrine borne on the shoulders) in the procession
by a group of men that must be 42 years old (an unlucky
age in the Shinto religion).
Women also carry smaller carvings, and as they pass
members of the crowd touch the tips to ensure good health
and prosperity for their children. The procession ends
when the O-owasegata passes through the Toni gate, and is
given as an offering and placed on
the main alter until the next festival. This is followed
by prayers for a prosperous crop and world peace.
For those living in the region this is a must see event
and will definitely be a memorable if not hilarious
experience to remember your stay in Japan. The procession
is scheduled to start at about 13:00 this year reaching
the shrine at 15:30. Hail, rain or shine the procession
will go ahead as planned. There is also a range of goods
that can be purchased as a memento of the day: candy,
lollipops, cakes, charms, keyrings etc - all in the shape
of phalli! "
But as for tomorrow, I get to go to another festival! I wonder why I seem to end up in the corner of Japan with all of the really weird festivals. Last month was the men wearing loincloths, and tomorrow is the Tagata-jinja "fertility festival" I have included a quote on a history and nature of this festival below. Oh well, any place that has vendors selling takoyaki balls and green-tea ice cream crepes makes Allie happy! And I feel almost required to go to this one because, it`s just so weird that I`d feel guilty to not take this opportunity of another weird story to tell, and pictures to bring back the absurdity to the US.
"Tagata Jinja’s Fertilaty Festival
Honen Matsuri
On Saturday March 15 an estimated 100,000 people of all
ages,from throughout Japan and all over the globe, will
gather at Tagatashrine in Komaki City to see this somewhat
crazy and bizarre festival. Honen Matsuri, meaning
festival for "a prosperous year
in Japanese, has been held since the Yayoi period almost
2000 years ago and is dedicated to the god Mitoshi-no-Kami
and the goddess Tamahime-no-Mikoto. The festival
originated with prayers for a prosperous harvest and is
based on the belief that for
everything to grow, develop and be prosperous mother earth
must be impregnated by father heaven.
The main attraction of the festival is a procession of
carved wooden erect phalli of all sizes, the largest being
the O-owasegata which is 2 meters long, 60 centimeters
wide, and weighs in at more than 400kg! (1000 pounds).
Newly made each year from Hinoki or
Japanese cypress, the phallus is carried on a mikoshi
(portable shrine borne on the shoulders) in the procession
by a group of men that must be 42 years old (an unlucky
age in the Shinto religion).
Women also carry smaller carvings, and as they pass
members of the crowd touch the tips to ensure good health
and prosperity for their children. The procession ends
when the O-owasegata passes through the Toni gate, and is
given as an offering and placed on
the main alter until the next festival. This is followed
by prayers for a prosperous crop and world peace.
For those living in the region this is a must see event
and will definitely be a memorable if not hilarious
experience to remember your stay in Japan. The procession
is scheduled to start at about 13:00 this year reaching
the shrine at 15:30. Hail, rain or shine the procession
will go ahead as planned. There is also a range of goods
that can be purchased as a memento of the day: candy,
lollipops, cakes, charms, keyrings etc - all in the shape
of phalli! "