 Last additions - Kanamara Matsuri かなまら祭 |
Lollipop maker, very popularApr 07, 2006
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Male and female lollipops (mass produced). Cute, but we all prefer the real thing, right?Apr 07, 2006
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Handmade male/female lollipops for 600 yen eachApr 07, 2006
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Lollipops (mass produced)The wrapping is printed with a prayer for conceiving.Apr 07, 2006
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DanceApr 07, 2006
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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).Apr 07, 2006
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Long line at the lollipop stand...Apr 07, 2006
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Even a rock band played...They played '70s rock.Apr 07, 2006
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Look, this one even has wrinkles (probably flaccid).Yes, he actually said that. Apr 07, 2006
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Male and female made of mochi. Both were offerings at the shrine.Apr 07, 2006
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Two for the price of one!!Apr 07, 2006
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Not exactly a work of art, but...Apr 07, 2006
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Hula and cherry blossomsApr 07, 2006
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Hula and cherry blossomsApr 07, 2006
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Items for the auction's climax...Apr 07, 2006
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Hula and cherry blossomsApr 07, 2006
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Male and female made of mochi (1000 yen)Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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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...Apr 07, 2006
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HulaApr 07, 2006
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Back at the shrineApr 07, 2006
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Ceremony back at the shrineApr 07, 2006
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Hula and cherry blossomsApr 07, 2006
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Turning around at the end of the route.Apr 07, 2006
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One of many daruma shops in the town.Apr 07, 2006
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Amulets, votive tablets, etc., for sale by the shrine.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanamara mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-malesApr 07, 2006
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Kanamara mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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Maid with paws...Apr 07, 2006
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Entering the main shopping streetApr 07, 2006
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-malesApr 07, 2006
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-malesApr 07, 2006
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She-male (or maybe just a drag queen, I couldn't visually or physically confirm)Apr 07, 2006
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They are shouting, "Dekkai-mara Dekkai-mara" which probably means "huge phallus."Apr 07, 2006
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Portable shrine processionApr 07, 2006
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Kanamara boat mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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Kanayama Shrine's head priestApr 07, 2006
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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...Apr 07, 2006
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Tengu (nose is not shaped like a phallus)Apr 07, 2006
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Portable shrine processionApr 07, 2006
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Art work on the cartApr 07, 2006
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Portable shrine processionApr 07, 2006
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Old photoThis picture was taken in the 1980s.Apr 07, 2006
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Portable shrine procession 神輿の巡幸Apr 07, 2006
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The red cloth is the blood after the demon inside the vagina bit the phallus (Old photo)This picture was taken in the 1980s.Apr 07, 2006
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Heading out of the shrine (old photo)This picture was taken in the 1980s.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu ShrineApr 07, 2006
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Heading out to the torii gate 神輿の巡幸Apr 07, 2006
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And it leaves the shrine.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu ShrineApr 07, 2006
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The main Kanamara mikoshi leaves last.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanamara mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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Kanamara mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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The Elizabeth mikoshi pumping up and down as it makes it way to townApr 07, 2006
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Phallus in the Kanamara boat mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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The outlandish Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanamara boat mikoshiApr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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The Kanamara boat mikoshi is the first to leave.Apr 07, 2006
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The Kanamara boat mikoshi is the first to leave. 神輿の巡幸Apr 07, 2006
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The crowd awaits the departure of the portable shrines to go on the procession around town.Apr 07, 2006
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Happi coat with official logoApr 07, 2006
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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!Apr 07, 2006
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Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly-lollipop (pop!)...From an old song. These lollipops were selling like hotcakes.Apr 07, 2006
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Another phallus near Kanayama ShrineIt was pretty lonely, with no one paying attention to it.Apr 07, 2006
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Shack for votive tabletsApr 07, 2006
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Blacksmith's toolApr 07, 2006
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Roof ridge emblemApr 07, 2006
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Prayers for a child written on these votive tablets (ema)Apr 07, 2006
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The old Kanayama ShrineApr 07, 2006
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The old Kanayama ShrinePicture was taken in the 1980s.Apr 07, 2006
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The old Kanayama ShrineApr 07, 2006
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Inside Kanayama ShrineApr 07, 2006
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Giving offerings inside Kanayama ShrineApr 07, 2006
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Shrine maidenApr 07, 2006
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Kanayama Shrine altar offeringsNotice the male and female mochi offering.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanayama Shrine altarApr 07, 2006
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Painting inside Kanayama ShrineApr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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Kanayama Shrine altarFlanked by penis statues on the left and right.Apr 07, 2006
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Inside Kanayama ShrineApr 07, 2006
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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?Apr 07, 2006
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Licking it...Look at that tongue...Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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Taiko drummers in front of Wakamiya HachimanguApr 07, 2006
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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...Apr 07, 2006
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Wakamiya Hachimangu ShrineApr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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Ready for the processionApr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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Pubic hair not included. Perhaps that's why it doesn't look so obscene.Apr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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Waving the sacred sakaki branch to bless all of usApr 07, 2006
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A representative of the shrine parishioners offer prayers.Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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Standing room only at Wakamiya ShrineApr 07, 2006
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Packed path to Wakamiya Hachimangu ShrineApr 07, 2006
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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.Apr 07, 2006
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Carving daikon. Anybody can join in and carve. 大根削りLater to be auctioned off.Apr 07, 2006
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The festival is wildly popular with people from overseas.The shrine had various phallus props to pose with.Apr 07, 2006
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Dickhead hat. Actually, I don't know what they call it, but that's what I call it.Apr 07, 2006
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Carving daikon (old photo). These men were really good at carving the daikon.Apr 07, 2006
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Pumping (or humping) the...Apr 07, 2006
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Shrine banners and cherries in full bloomThe red banner says "Kanayama Jinja" with an phallus (erect) logo on the top.Apr 07, 2006
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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.)Apr 07, 2006
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