Everything you need to know about Japan’s Penis Festival
By Samuel Leighton-Dore
Hello Kitty. Sushi. Famous hospitality. Awesome national healthcare…
Just in case you needed further proof that the Japanese know better than anyone how to absolutely nail life, this past weekend they celebrated their annual Penis Festival.
The Shinto Kanamara Matsuri (“Festival of the Steel Phallus”) is held every year at the Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, Japan. Starting in 1977, the festival was inspired by the local legend that a sharp-toothed demon (vagina dentata) once hid inside the vagina of a young woman and castrated two men on their wedding nights. The young woman then desperately sought refuge with a blacksmith, who fashioned her a steel phallus (dick) to break the demon’s teeth.
The legend is known for being particularly popular among local prostitutes, who are said to have prayed for protection from sexually transmitted diseases at the Kanayama Shrine.
However, these days the festival sees locals suck joyfully on penis-shaped lollipops, march down the streets carrying large, penis-shaped shrines, and pose for photos with fluffy Disney-like penis characters.
Oh, and it raises awareness and funds for the ongoing prevention of HIV – which is typically cool of the Japanese.
Now, for the PHOTOS:
