Kanamara Matsuri - The Festival of the Steel Phallus

Alright, before all of the immature people's minds run amok, I will take the time to explain this very interesting and rather fun yearly event (which occurred last Saturday . . . late but not the least bit boring). I hope you all will try to be open-minded about this subject.

According to legend, a woman's body (namely her nether region) was inhabited by a sharp-toothed demon. This terrible entity ruined two of her marriages by biting off the penises of her husbands. Distraught, the young woman went to a blacksmith and asked him to fashion a phallus made of iron (or steel). Upon doing so, the implement was used to defeat the demon by breaking all of its teeth, forcing it to flee from her body.

Cool right?!?

Since then a particular shrine, located in Kawasaki, has long been visited by prostitutes to ward off STDs. Currently, the festival still celebrates protection from such diseases, as well as, offers good fortune in marriage and fertility. The proceeds from the charms, food, and other festival treats go in Part or as a whole towards HIV research (go my ¥800 contribution!!!).

With that being said, I thought I would make a short video compilation of my adventures at the festival. The first features both photos and live footage from the festival grounds and the large Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji Buddhist temple nearby. The second video is of a very talented person by the name of Juggler Laby (no I did not misspell his name) who gave us quite a show at the temple. Enjoy!