Kanayama Shrine and Festival of the Steel Phallus
Lifestyle/Hobbies | Avg price: ¥5 | English Available: None (Unknown)
Reviews
Add your review-
Solemn and rollicking fertility festival
Kanayama Shrine celebrates the Kanamara Matsuri, the festival of the steel phallus, in early April. When I attended, there was a large crowd watching the procession, but I could still have a good view. The procession of large steel phalluses is led by the shrine priests, and they walk in a circuit around the Kawasaki Daishi area. The story is that a toothy demon fell in love with and possessed a young woman, and he bit off the penises of her husbands. A blacksmith fashioned a steel phallus, the demon broke his teeth on it, and the object came to be venerated at the shrine. It's true, the vendors around the shrine do sell sweet treats in the shape of genitals. The festival is an interesting experience, combined with a visit to Kawasaki Daishi, sando shopping street, and hear the candy cutters drum out rhythms on their cutting boards.
TonetoEdo
on May 6