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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.)
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Shrine banners and cherries in full bloomThe red banner says "Kanayama Jinja" with an phallus (erect) logo on the top.
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Pumping (or humping) the...
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The festival is wildly popular with people from overseas.The shrine had various phallus props to pose with.
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Dickhead hat. Actually, I don't know what they call it, but that's what I call it.
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Carving daikon. Anybody can join in and carve. 大根削りLater to be auctioned off.
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Carving daikon (old photo). These men were really good at carving the daikon.
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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.
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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.
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Sugawara house from Tsuruoka city, Yamagata Prefecture. In heavy snow, the front window was used as the door.
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Standing room only at Wakamiya Shrine
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Ceiling
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Packed path to Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
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Kitamura house brought from Hadano, Kanagawa
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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.)
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Kitamura house
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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.
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Nihon Minkaen is an outdoor museum of traditional farm and merchant houses with thatched roofs. They have 25 homes from around Japan many were donated to the museum for preservation.
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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.
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A representative of the shrine parishioners offer prayers.
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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.
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Thatched roof
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Waving the sacred sakaki branch to bless all of us
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Water nozzles aimed at the house. No smoking.
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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.
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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.)
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Pubic hair not included. Perhaps that's why it doesn't look so obscene.
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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.)
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Yamada house
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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.)
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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.)
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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.)
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Emukai house brought from Nanto, Toyama. In the gasshi-zukuri style with steep roof. Kawasaki Nihon Minkaen
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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.)
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Nihon Minkaen, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
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Ready for the procession
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Inside Emukai house
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Taiko drummers in front of Wakamiya Hachimangu
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Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
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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.
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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...
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Licking it...Look at that tongue...
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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.
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Nihon Minkaen, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
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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?
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Toilet
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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.
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The museum park has 25 homes from around Japan many were donated to the museum for preservation. Near Mukogaoka-yuen Station on the Odakyu Line. Closed Mon. Admission 500 yen.
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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.
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Water mill
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Inside Kanayama Shrine
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Inside water mill
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Painting inside Kanayama Shrine
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Hydrangea
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Kanayama Shrine altarFlanked by penis statues on the left and right.
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Kanayama Shrine altar
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Kanayama Shrine altar offeringsNotice the male and female mochi offering.
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Shrine maiden
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Giving offerings inside Kanayama Shrine
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Inside Kanayama Shrine
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The old Kanayama ShrinePicture was taken in the 1980s.
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The old Kanayama Shrine
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The old Kanayama Shrine
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Prayers for a child written on these votive tablets (ema)
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Shack for votive tablets
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Roof ridge emblem
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Blacksmith's tool
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Another phallus near Kanayama ShrineIt was pretty lonely, with no one paying attention to it.
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Happi coat with official logo
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Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly-lollipop (pop!)...From an old song. These lollipops were selling like hotcakes.
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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!
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The crowd awaits the departure of the portable shrines to go on the procession around town.
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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.
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The Kanamara boat mikoshi is the first to leave. 神輿の巡幸
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The Kanamara boat mikoshi is the first to leave.
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Kanamara boat mikoshi
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Phallus in the Kanamara boat mikoshi
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The outlandish Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males.
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The Elizabeth mikoshi pumping up and down as it makes it way to town
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The main Kanamara mikoshi leaves last.
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Kanamara mikoshi
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Kanamara mikoshi
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Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
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Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine
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And it leaves the shrine.
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Heading out to the torii gate 神輿の巡幸
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Heading out of the shrine (old photo)This picture was taken in the 1980s.
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Old photoThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
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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.
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Portable shrine procession 神輿の巡幸
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Portable shrine procession
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Art work on the cart
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Portable shrine procession
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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...
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Tengu (nose is not shaped like a phallus)
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Kanayama Shrine's head priest
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Portable shrine procession
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Kanamara boat mikoshi
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They are shouting, "Dekkai-mara Dekkai-mara" which probably means "huge phallus."
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males
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She-male (or maybe just a drag queen, I couldn't visually or physically confirm)
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Entering the main shopping street
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males
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Maid with paws...
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Kanamara mikoshi
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Kanamara mikoshi
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One of many daruma shops in the town.
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Turning around at the end of the route.
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Back at the shrine
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Ceremony back at the shrine
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Amulets, votive tablets, etc., for sale by the shrine.
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Male and female made of mochi (1000 yen)
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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...
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Hula
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Hula and cherry blossoms
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Hula and cherry blossoms
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Hula and cherry blossoms
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Hula and cherry blossoms
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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.
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Two for the price of one!!
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Look, this one even has wrinkles (probably flaccid).Yes, he actually said that.
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Not exactly a work of art, but...
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Items for the auction's climax...
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Male and female made of mochi. Both were offerings at the shrine.
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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).
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Dance
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Even a rock band played...They played '70s rock.
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Long line at the lollipop stand...
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Handmade male/female lollipops for 600 yen each
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Lollipop maker, very popular
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Lollipops (mass produced)The wrapping is printed with a prayer for conceiving.
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Male and female lollipops (mass produced). Cute, but we all prefer the real thing, right?
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Belonging to the Shingon Buddhist sect founded by Kobo Daishi, Kawasaki Daishi Temple is one of the Kanto Region's Big Three Shingon temples (other two being Narita-san in Chiba and Yakuoin in Mt. Takao).Officially named Heikenji Temple, Kawasaki Daishi worships Kobo Daishi (弘法大師), the founder of the Shingon Sect.
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple is near Kawasaki Daishi Station on the Keikyu Daishi Line that starts from Keikyu Kawasaki Station.
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The short walk from Kawasaki Daishi Station to Kawasaki Daishi Temple is lined with souvenir shops.
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Many daruma shops along the way. These daruma are designed like a boar since 2019 was the Year of the Boar.
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Daruma dolls.
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Tanuki dressed for Setsubun, complete with beans.
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Turn right at the intersection.
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Entrance to Daishi Nakamise shopping arcade leading to Kawsaki Daishi Temple. 大師仲見世
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Daishi Nakamise shopping arcade to Kawasaki Daishi has more souvenir shops.
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Daishi Nakamise shopping arcade leads to the temple.
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Daishi Nakamise is famous for rock-candy cutting (Tontoko Ame). They use a knive to cut the long sliver of candy on a wooden cutting board to make a loud chopping noise.
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Lots of daruma shops
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Daruma shop
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Daruma with eyes to be painted in.
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Daruma
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Beckoning cats or maneki-neko.
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Getting closer to Kawasaki Daishi.
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Dai-Sanmon Main Gate rebuilt in 1977. 大山門
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Belonging to the Shingon Buddhist sect, Kawasaki Daishi is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in Kanagawa Prefecture. Official name is Heikenji (平間寺). Almost 3 million people worship here during New Year's. It worships Kobo Daishi (弘法大師), the founder of the Shingon Sect.
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Giant paper lantern hangs in the Dai-Sanmon (Main Gate).
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Under the giant paper lantern.
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Behind the giant paper lantern.
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One of the Four Heavenly Kings inside the Main Gate. 四天王像
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One of the Four Heavenly Kings inside the Main Gate. 四天王像
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Water basin.
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Water basin with a lotus flower.
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Ema tablet for the Year of the Boar in 2019.
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Path to main worship hall 大本堂
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall and incense burner in front. 大本堂
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Incense burner
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall 大本堂
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall 大本堂
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall 大本堂
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall 大本堂
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall 大本堂
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Inside Dai-hondo main hall at Kawasaki Daishi. Kobo Daishi (Kukai 774-835), the founder of the Shingon Buddhism is enshrined. The Goma kito fire prayer is held here a few times every morning and afternoon. 大本堂
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Dai-hondo main worship hall 大本堂
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View from the Dai-hondo main hall.
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Feb. 3, 2019 was Setsubun, the traditional day marking the start of spring even though it's still cold as winter.
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Setsubun started with a religious ceremony inside the main temple at about 1:15 pm. The priests and bean throwers paraded into the temple.
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節分会
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This is actress Kanda Uno waving. Setsubun at major temples usually have a few celebrities. 神田うの
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Temple priests standing by to enter the temple.
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Priests proceed to the main temple.
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They did the goma fire ritual inside the temple where they burn wooden tablets to cleanse your soul.
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Names of the Setsubun bean throwers on Feb. 3, 2019 at Kawasaki Daishi.
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After the religious ceremony, group photo of the priests (head priest in the middle wearing orange) and bean throwers.
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To be a Setsubun bean thrower, you have to pay money to the temple. Kawasaki Daishi charges ¥70,000.It includes a nice lunch and a few auspicious souvenirs like a wooden goma prayer tablet, wooden box of lucky beans, folding fan, and sake.
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Group photo of Setsubun bean throwers on Feb. 3, 2019 at Kawasaki Daishi. The head priest is in orange in the middle.
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After the picture-taking, everyone walked to the bean-throwing area.
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On Feb. 3, 2019, Kawasaki Daishi held the Setsubun bean-throwing three times at 11:30 am, 2 pm, and 4:30 pm. I went at 2 pm. This is the temple's lawn named Yasuragi Hiroba. やすらぎ広場
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Kawasaki Daishi Temple grounds is quite large. It has this large field near the main worship hall. Perfect for bean throwing.
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About 7,000 people gathered for each of the three bean-throwing ceremonies. It's free for people to catch the beans.
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Led by priests, the bean throwers entered the site on an elevated platform. 節分会・豆まき
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Of course, the temple needs to take care of some expenses such as those gifts and constructing this platform for the bean throwers. 節分会・豆まき
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Kawasaki Daishi has about 70 people throwing beans each time, so a total of 210 people for the day. ¥70,000 x 210 = ¥14,700,000 income for the temple this day.
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Everyone is filled with anticipation to catch lucky beans.
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Kanda Uno (center) and Dewi Sukarno (right) were the main celebrities throwing beans. They weren't born in the Year of the Boar, but Uno is a native of Kawasaki. Dewi must also have some connection with this temple or Kawasaki.
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川崎大師節分会 豆まき
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Front and center are the Kawasaki Daishi Temple priests.
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At 2 pm, the fun began when they started throwing the beans.
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Setsubun at Kawasaki Daishi Temple. They threw small plastic bags of beans, so they were easy to catch.
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All hands in the air. Setsubun bean-throwing at Kawasaki Daishi Temple on Feb. 3, 2019. 川崎大師節分会 豆まき
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Kanda Uno and Dewi Sukarno throwing Setsubun beans at Kawasaki Daishi on Feb. 3, 2019. Dewi was one of the wives of the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno. She's now a popular celebrity in Japan. 神田うの デヴィ夫人
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Kanda Uno and Dewi Sukarno throwing Setsubun beans. 川崎大師節分会 豆まき
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Kanda Uno and Dewi Sukarno throwing Setsubun beans.
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Kanda Uno and Dewi Sukarno throwing Setsubun beans at Kawasaki Daishi on Feb. 3, 2019. 神田うの デヴィ夫人 川崎大師節分会 豆まき
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Kanda Uno and Dewi Sukarno throwing Setsubun beans at Kawasaki Daishi. 川崎大師節分会 豆まき
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After several minutes, everyone ran out beans. They waved goodbye and left.
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My lucky setsubun beans. It hit my hand in the air and I caught it. I think one of the priests threw it.
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Hanamatsuri, Buddha's Birthday (April 8). This small baby Buddha statue was placed inside the main hall at Kawasaki Daishi.
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Hanamatsuri at Kawasaki Daishi.
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Hanamatsuri, pouring sweet tea over the baby Buddha.
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Serving sweet tea for free for all.
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Octagonal 5-story pagoda at Kawasaki Daishi Temple. 八角五重塔 (中興塔)
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Octagonal 5-story pagoda at Kawasaki Daishi Temple. 八角五重塔 (中興塔)
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It's a ferro-concrete building with no windows nor observation deck or balcony.
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The pagoda symbolizes Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana).
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Entrance to octagonal 5-story pagoda (Photos not allowed inside). It's a ferro-concrete building with no windows nor observation deck or balcony.
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Octagonal 5-story pagoda 八角五重塔 (中興塔)
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The sacred statues or images worshipped in the Octagonal 5-story pagoda.
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About the Octagonal 5-story pagoda.
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Power stones (chikara-ishi) 力石
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About the Power stones (chikara-ishi) 力石
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Fudo-mon Gate and Prayer and Peace Monument 不動門 「祈りと平和」の像
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Prayer and Peace Monument 不動門 「祈りと平和」の像
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Prayer and Peace Monument 不動門 「祈りと平和」の像
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About Prayer and Peace Monument.
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Kobo Daishi statue built in 1973 for the 1,200th anniversary of his birth. 遍路大師尊像
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