Without a doubt, one of the most remarkable festivals in the world is Kanamara Matsuri ang. “Festival of the Steel Phallus” (sometimes refereed as “the Penis Festival”).
Kanamara Matsuri takes place in the beginning of April.
Nowadays, this festival become touristic attraction for thousands of people.
Japan is probably the only place where such festival can take place without protests and scandals.
As you can see main theme if the event is penis reflected in all kinds of forms (illustrations, candy, decorations).
Another, probably less famous is Hōnen Matsuri which is Japanese for "Harvest Festival" (Hōnen means rich harvest, Matsuri means festival).
Like Kanamara Matsuri it's also fertility festival.
Hōnen Matsuri is celebrated every March 15.
This festival is somehow similar to Kanamara Matsuri, you can also find all kinds of food and souvenirs in phallus shape.
The Hōnen Matsuri festival and ceremony celebrate the blessings of a bountiful harvest and all manner of prosperity and fertility.
Some say, the best is a festival that takes place in Komaki a town located about 45 minutes north of Nagoya.
Something worth mentioning is a fact that it's not just one festival, in facts it's there are two: vagina festival and the very next day penis festival.
Penis festival main event starts in shrine where 2.5 meter long wooden phallus is carried (in procession) to another shrine called Tagata Jinja.
Festival ends after procession, when everyone gathers near Tagata Jinja shrine waiting for the mochi nage when the crowd is showered with mochi (small rice cakes) thrown down by the officials from raised platforms.
I found some numbers, penis festival attracts (official) about 100,000 tourists.
Questions: Do you think it'd be a good idea to bring that kind festival to Poland?
Would you buy wooden or candy penis/vagina? ;)
Would you go to this festival?
At the beginning I would like to point out that I am a person who tolerates reviews of others, behavioral, etc. In my opinion, this type of festival has no deeper meaning and I have to admit that I am quite surprised that so many people are in events of this type. I am convinced that in every European country this festival is regarded as something abnormal. People in Europe would not have agreed with "festival a penis". I cannot imagine seeing penises all over the streets at least for me it is not normal. Maybe woman could prey to it but for sure not normal men. Especially in Poland, where different faith is popular.
ReplyDeletePeople in Europe have one common thing, they everywhere see scandal and everything is scandalous for them, like penis in picture.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot imagine seeing penises all over the streets but people in Asia approach it with humor and distance.
As Krzysztof said, in European and Polish culture it would be rather unappropriated to organize such festivals
ReplyDeleteWould you buy wooden or candy penis/vagina? ;)
I wouldn't, but I know it's not unusual for women to buy candy penises for hen parties.
I never heard of a festival of this type anywhere in the world. This festival is truly unique. I agree that many people in European countries assume that any reference to genitalia is shameful. Japanese are not as hung up on body parts as people in other countries. Old people as well as young go to these festivals and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteJapanese culture is so different! That’s fascinating. ;o) I think that it is impossible for a western man to truly understand them. Mainly because they describe reality differently. Each word have a meaning connotations which is very difficult to translate and understand for a European. You would have to spend a lifetime to fully get what they are all about.
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ReplyDelete*Do you think it'd be a good idea to bring that kind festival to Poland?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. Our culture will not accept that way of celebration.
*Would you buy wooden or candy penis/vagina? ;)
I don't delight in candy penises.... sorry :P
*Would you go to this festival?
I really curiosity how the festival look in reality.
“Do you think it'd be a good idea to bring that kind festival to Poland?”
ReplyDeleteIt’s always good to be tolerant and open minded but bringing that festival to Poland without other changes would be difficult. People in Poland are different and the culture is different. I’m not saying that there aren’t people in Poland, who wouldn’t be interested in taking part in that kind of events, but there are other people who would definitely be against it. Answering to your question, bringing that festival to Poland is not so good idea. That festival is a part of Japanese culture and can’t work well without other parts.
“Would you go to this festival?”
Yes, it would be good for breaking away from routine and watching something different.