Home > KANAGAWA 神奈川県 > Kawasaki 川崎市 > Kanamara Matsuri かなまら祭

001-IMG_8562.jpg
Kanayama Jinja Shrine is a small shrine within the grounds of the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine near Kawasaki Daishi Station. On the first Sun. of April, it holds this now-famous Kanamara Festival nicknamed the Phallus or Fertility Festival. Festival starts at 11 am. But a large crowd was already there well before that time. Entrance to shrine on the day of the Kanamara Festival. (If you're below age 18, please leave now.)
002-IMG_8563.jpg
Shrine banners and cherries in full bloomThe red banner says "Kanayama Jinja" with an phallus (erect) logo on the top.
003-IMG_8574.jpg
Pumping (or humping) the...
004-IMG_8573.jpg
The festival is wildly popular with people from overseas.The shrine had various phallus props to pose with.
005-IMG_8571.jpg
Dickhead hat. Actually, I don't know what they call it, but that's what I call it.
006-IMG_8580.jpg
Carving daikon. Anybody can join in and carve. 大根削りLater to be auctioned off.
007-8135-12.jpg
Carving daikon (old photo). These men were really good at carving the daikon.
008-8135-13.jpg
Carving daikon. Since some activities are conducted on the ground, the festival is also called Jibeta (Ground) Matsuri.Once upon a time, the festival was still mostly a local event with much fewer people.
009-8135-36.jpg
Forging a steel phallus (old photo)The demon living in the vagina of the women bit the man's phallus each time. So one guy made a steel phallus and the demom broke his teeth.
010-IMG_8577.jpg
Standing room only at Wakamiya Shrine
011-IMG_8586.jpg
Packed path to Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
012-IMG_8596.jpg
Prayers to the Kanamara Boat portable shrine かなまら舟神輿 神輿御霊入れ式Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.

There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
013-IMG_8624.jpg
Prayers to the Kanamara-bune mikoshi かなまら舟神輿Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
014-IMG_8620.jpg
The shrine's head priest transfers the deity to the Kanamara Boat portable shrine (boat-shaped loaded with a phallus) かなまら舟神輿Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
015-IMG_8630.jpg
A representative of the shrine parishioners offer prayers.
016-IMG_8634.jpg
Prayers to the Elizabeth portable shrine エリザベス神輿Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
017-IMG_8641.jpg
Waving the sacred sakaki branch to bless all of us
018-IMG_8644.jpg
Prayers to the Elizabeth portable shrine エリザベス神輿Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.
019-IMG_8646.jpg
Elizabeth portable shrine エリザベス神輿Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.

There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
020-IMG_8650.jpg
Pubic hair not included. Perhaps that's why it doesn't look so obscene.
021-IMG_8655.jpg
Elizabeth portable shrine was donated by a drag queen club called Elizabeth Kaikan in Kameido, Tokyo.There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
022-IMG_8658.jpg
Kanamara Boat portable shrine (boat-shaped loaded with a phallus) was donated by a steel company. かなまら舟神There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
023-IMG_8659.jpg
Two of the portable shrines ready to go. In Japanese, the festival is nicknamed "Chinko Matsuri" (Phallus Festival) ちんこ祭り.There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
024-IMG_8666.jpg
The main Kanamara mikoshi かなまら神輿There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
025-IMG_8670.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi かなまら神輿There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi). The Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (pink giant). All three are carried during a procession around town. The Elizabeth mikoshi is carried by she-males. ("New half" in Japanese. Go ahead and laugh if you want.)
026-IMG_8677.jpg
Ready for the procession
027-IMG_8684.jpg
Taiko drummers in front of Wakamiya Hachimangu
028-IMG_9131.jpg
Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
029-IMG_9140.jpg
Kanayama Shrine (right next to Wakamiya Hachimangu)Kanayama Shrine is dedicated to a pair of gods named Kanayama Hikonokami and Kanayama Himenokami 金山比古神(かなやまひこのかみ)   金山比売神(かなやまひめのかみ. According to legend, when the main Shinto god named Izanami gave birth to the God of Fire, her lower abdomen got burned. These two Kanayama gods helped to heal her birth wound. Thus, these two gods came to be known as the gods of childbirth and healing of the lower abdomen. They later came to be worshipped as fertility gods, protector of sexually-transmitted diseases (AIDS, etc.), and successful marriage. They are also the gods of the bellows, so blacksmiths (who use bellows to fan the fire) also worship this shrine.

Kanayama Shrine is a small shrine within the grounds of the larger Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine. The Kanayama Shrine was completely rebuilt and reborn in 1999 into a completely unorthodox building which you see here. Modeled after a blacksmith's workshop, it is now a black, eight-sided building with steel paneling. Notice the penis monument on the lower right.
030-IMG_9108.jpg
Penis prayersThis penis monument (built in 1995 by a steel company) is next to Kanayama Shrine. This person praying is a Caucasian man, not a woman. I was aghast when he stood up and showed his manly face. His long blond hair made me think he was a woman...
031-IMG_9099.jpg
Licking it...Look at that tongue...
032-IMG_9121.jpg
Riding it...Obviously I have better shots of her with her cute face showing and both arms in the air, but I'm not one to embarass people...

It has been scientifically proven that sex is good for your health and beauty.
033-IMG_9123.jpg
Ooohhh, ecstasy...Nah, just joking. She was actually just embarassed and spontaneously covered her face with a giggle. Obviously I have better shots of her with her cute face showing, but I'm not one to embarass people... Boy, I wish I took a video clip of this scene.

Actually, what happened is that a guy sat on this black penis before she did, and she saw that. So she imitated and sat on it too. Her female friend was taking her picture. Later they switched places and her friend, who was wearing a skirt and red net stockings, sat on it and posed for pictures.

Notice the zigzag white paper streamers. They indicate something which is sacred. So this penis is sacred, possessing a divine spirit. I can believe this because it draws so many people to it. It definitely has divine power. I mean it made this girl sit on it right?
034-IMG_8693.jpg
Inside Kanayama Shrine 金山神社Kanayama Shrine is dedicated to a pair of gods named Kanayama Hikonokami and Kanayama Himenokami 金山比古神(かなやまひこのかみ)   金山比売神(かなやまひめのかみ. According to legend, when the main Shinto god named Izanami gave birth to the God of Fire, her lower abdomen got burned. These two Kanayama gods helped to heal her birth wound. Thus, these two gods came to be known as the gods of childbirth and healing of the lower abdomen. They later came to be worshipped as fertility gods, protector of sexually-transmitted diseases (AIDS, etc.), and successful marriage. They are also the gods of bellows (you can see it on the left of the fireplace above), so blacksmiths (who use bellows to fan the fire) also worship this shrine.
035-IMG_8696.jpg
Inside Kanayama ShrineKanayama Shrine is dedicated to a pair of gods named Kanayama Hikonokami and Kanayama Himenokami 金山比古神(かなやまひこのかみ)   金山比売神(かなやまひめのかみ. According to legend, when the main Shinto god named Izanami gave birth to the God of Fire, her lower abdomen got burned. These two Kanayama gods helped to heal her birth wound. Thus, these two gods came to be known as the gods of childbirth and healing of the lower abdomen. They later came to be worshipped as fertility gods, protector of sexually-transmitted diseases (AIDS, etc.), and successful marriage. They are also the gods of bellows, so blacksmiths (who use bellows to fan the fire) also worship this shrine.
036-IMG_8700.jpg
Inside Kanayama Shrine
037-IMG_8701.jpg
Painting inside Kanayama Shrine
038-IMG_8704.jpg
Kanayama Shrine altarFlanked by penis statues on the left and right.
039-IMG_8708.jpg
Kanayama Shrine altar
040-IMG_8707.jpg
Kanayama Shrine altar offeringsNotice the male and female mochi offering.
042-IMG_8714.jpg
Shrine maiden
043-IMG_8712.jpg
Giving offerings inside Kanayama Shrine
044-IMG_8711.jpg
Inside Kanayama Shrine
045-8135-7.jpg
The old Kanayama ShrinePicture was taken in the 1980s.
046-8135-8.jpg
The old Kanayama Shrine
047-8135-10.jpg
The old Kanayama Shrine
048-IMG_9095.jpg
Prayers for a child written on these votive tablets (ema)
049-IMG_9111.jpg
Shack for votive tablets
050-IMG_9113.jpg
Roof ridge emblem
051-IMG_9115.jpg
Blacksmith's tool
052-IMG_9141.jpg
Another phallus near Kanayama ShrineIt was pretty lonely, with no one paying attention to it.
053-IMG_9063.jpg
Happi coat with official logo
054-IMG_8729.jpg
Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly-lollipop (pop!)...From an old song. These lollipops were selling like hotcakes.
055-IMG_8720.jpg
Free amazake (sweet sake). It's a white, creamy liquid served with small dried fish with wiggly tails. Sort of reminds you of something...Sperm!
056-IMG_8733.jpg
The crowd awaits the departure of the portable shrines to go on the procession around town.
057-IMG_8732.jpg
People could borrow and wear kimono for free, courtesy of the shrine.The portable shrine procession is actually called a "costume parade." You can wear a mask or whatever and also wear a kimono (considered to be a costume) and join in the parade.
058-IMG_8738.jpg
The Kanamara boat mikoshi is the first to leave. 神輿の巡幸
059-IMG_8744.jpg
The Kanamara boat mikoshi is the first to leave.
060-IMG_8748.jpg
Kanamara boat mikoshi
061-IMG_8755.jpg
Phallus in the Kanamara boat mikoshi
062-IMG_8758.jpg
The outlandish Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males.
063-IMG_8762.jpg
Also see the video at YouTube.
064-IMG_8765.jpg
The Elizabeth mikoshi pumping up and down as it makes it way to town
065-IMG_8767.jpg
The main Kanamara mikoshi leaves last.
066-IMG_8768.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi
067-IMG_8773.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi
068-IMG_8777.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
069-IMG_8779.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
070-IMG_8785.jpg
And it leaves the shrine.
071-IMG_8795.jpg
Heading out to the torii gate 神輿の巡幸
072-8135-26.jpg
Heading out of the shrine (old photo)This picture was taken in the 1980s.
073-8135-32.jpg
Old photoThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
074-8135-31.jpg
The red cloth is the blood after the demon inside the vagina bit the phallus (Old photo)This picture was taken in the 1980s.
075-IMG_8804.jpg
Portable shrine procession 神輿の巡幸
076-IMG_8806.jpg
Portable shrine procession
077-IMG_8810.jpg
Art work on the cart
078-IMG_8816.jpg
Portable shrine procession
079-IMG_8823.jpg
Head of the portable shrine processionTengu, shrine priest, and a little girl with an offertory tray. I put in 10 yen, and a shrine maiden came up to me and waved the sacred branch over my head as a blessing. She also gave me an amulet made of paper. I guess I'm fertile now...
080-IMG_8825.jpg
Tengu (nose is not shaped like a phallus)
081-IMG_8826.jpg
Kanayama Shrine's head priest
082-IMG_8832.jpg
Portable shrine procession
083-IMG_8836.jpg
Kanamara boat mikoshi
084-IMG_8837.jpg
Portable shrine procession. Also see the video at YouTube.
085-IMG_8840.jpg
They are shouting, "Dekkai-mara Dekkai-mara" which probably means "huge phallus."
086-IMG_8863.jpg
Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males
087-IMG_8867.jpg
Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males
088-IMG_8862.jpg
She-male (or maybe just a drag queen, I couldn't visually or physically confirm)
089-IMG_8868.jpg
Entering the main shopping street
090-IMG_8872.jpg
Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males
091-IMG_8876.jpg
Maid with paws...
092-IMG_8878.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi
093-IMG_8881.jpg
Kanamara mikoshi
094-IMG_8893.jpg
Also see the video at YouTube.
095-IMG_8895.jpg
One of many daruma shops in the town.
096-IMG_8907.jpg
Turning around at the end of the route.
097-IMG_8984.jpg
Back at the shrine
098-IMG_8992.jpg
Ceremony back at the shrine
099-IMG_9000.jpg
Amulets, votive tablets, etc., for sale by the shrine.
100-IMG_8999.jpg
Male and female made of mochi (1000 yen)
101-IMG_9007.jpg
Hula dancing at a phallus festival?? (Click photo to learn why.)Because hula can also be considered as a sexually-suggestive dance. The way they sway the hips, etc., can be sexy enough to stir up your loins...
102-IMG_9016.jpg
Hula
103-IMG_9035.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
104-IMG_9018.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
105-IMG_9026.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
106-IMG_9031.jpg
Hula and cherry blossoms
107-IMG_9064.jpg
Phallus daikon radish auction, minimum bid 200 yenAll the daikon they were carving earlier in the day were sold at an auction. Most were sold for a few hundred yen. They even had an English interpreter (woman on left) so foreigners could bid too.
108-IMG_9069.jpg
Two for the price of one!!
109-IMG_9070.jpg
Look, this one even has wrinkles (probably flaccid).Yes, he actually said that.
110-IMG_9066.jpg
Not exactly a work of art, but...
111-IMG_9062.jpg
Items for the auction's climax...
112-IMG_9059.jpg
Male and female made of mochi. Both were offerings at the shrine.
113-IMG_9080.jpg
Now this is a work of art. Bid at least 3,000 yen please...A Japanese woman bought this, but no takers for the mochi phallus (also 3,000 yen minimum).
114-IMG_9089.jpg
Dance
115-IMG_9093.jpg
Even a rock band played...They played '70s rock.
116-IMG_9153.jpg
Long line at the lollipop stand...
117-IMG_9149.jpg
Handmade male/female lollipops for 600 yen each
118-IMG_9144.jpg
Lollipop maker, very popular
119-IMG_0127.jpg
Lollipops (mass produced)The wrapping is printed with a prayer for conceiving.
120-IMG_0140.jpg
Male and female lollipops (mass produced). Cute, but we all prefer the real thing, right?
 
119 files on 1 page(s)