Many of you may be wondering, “I heard that there are adult festivals in Japan, is that true?” or “What does genital worship mean?”
Japan has had a culture of worshiping genitals since ancient times, and this custom still remains in many parts of Japan.
In this article, we will introduce the meaning of genital worship and the strange adult festivals held in the Hokuriku area.
Reading this article will deepen your understanding of Japan’s strange festivals. Please read to the end.
Japanese festivals | What is genital worship?
Genital organ worship is a belief that sanctifies and worships the life force of human reproductive organs, and prays for a rich harvest of crops and the prosperity of descendants. Genital worship is not unique to Japan, but has existed since ancient times in countries around the world such as India and Egypt.
It is characterized by the fact that there are objects of worship shaped like male and female genitals, and visitors can pray at the objects at the shrine, parade them around as portable shrines, or climb on top of them while praying for rich harvests and other blessings. There are many strange festivals to pray for fertility.
Furthermore, the fact that trees and sculptures reminiscent of reproductive organs are enshrined, and souvenirs depicting male and female genitalia are sold, shows that genital worship is a belief rooted in the region. Masu.
Some people may find it “obscene” or “dirty,” but genital worship is a culture that worships the mystical power of genital organs.
Japanese festivals | Unique adult festivals in the Hokuriku area
There are many strange festivals for adults in the Hokuriku area. Some festivals even attract tourists from all over the country.
Here we will introduce five strange adult festivals in the Hokuriku area. Why not visit during your trip to Japan?
Strange Festival 1 “Hassaku Festival”
The Hassaku Festival is a strange festival that is said to be the most adult festival in Fukui Prefecture.
The Hassaku Festival is a festival in which the village is divided into east and west and dedicates portable shrines. In the morning, from the east side, and in the afternoon, from the west side, each carries a vermillion-painted barrel mikoshi and heads toward Hiyoshi Shrine, praying for a rich harvest.
The most exciting part of the festival is the presence of the “Rage Tengu.” Surrounding the paraded Taru Mikoshi are tengu wearing straw sandals and hats, and a group of costumed people called “Odoke.” The Tengu flashes a sacred stick shaped like a penis through his clothing, and pokes at the women and children who are watching. It is said that if you are struck with a divine stick, you will be blessed with children.
In addition, “Hassaku Ondo” is sung during the parade on the west side. It’s originally a normal song, but halfway through it becomes a parody full of words that are banned from broadcasting, which is another aspect of the adult festival.
Strange Festival 2 “Hamo Matsuri Tsuburosashi”
“Hamo Matsuri no Tsuburosashi” is an adult kagura performed at the “Hamo Festival”, which has been held in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture since ancient times.
Tsuburosashi is the name of the main character who appears in the “Dai Kagura Bugaku” performed at the Hamo Festival, and recently there has been an increase in the number of cases where bugaku is called “Hamo Festival no Tsuburosashi”.
Tsuburosashi has a bizarre appearance, wearing a man’s mask, bright red and flashy costumes, and holding a long wooden stick that resembles a male organ. He places a wooden stick like a penis between his thighs and swings it around as he dances. Surrounding the Tsuburosashi are the “Sasara-suri,” who play the Sasara, a bamboo instrument, to tempt the Tsuburosashi, and the “Zendaiko”, which plays the role of a woman who tempts the Tsuburosashi by flashing money.
It spreads the strong sexual desire of humans and prays for a good harvest in the region.
Strange Festival 3 “Hodare Festival”
“Hodare Festival” is a festival held in a small village in Niigata Prefecture, and is so famous that it attracts tourists and photographers from outside the prefecture.
“Hodare-sama”, the symbol of the Hodare Festival, is a gigantic object of worship that is 2.2 meters tall and weighs approximately 600 kg, shaped like a male genital organ. “Hodare” is written in kanji as “hotare,” and refers to the appearance of ripe rice ears that are drooping. Hotare-sama has been worshiped since ancient times as the god of crops and human fruitfulness.
The Hodare Festival begins with the dedication of a large shimenawa rope, followed by Kagami-biraki and the exorcism of the first bride. The main event is a parade of the sacred object, Hodare-sama, as a mikoshi. A newly married woman is placed on top of the giant Hodare-sama, and local men carry her around. This is a Shinto ritual to pray for a rich harvest, children, and safe childbirth.
Strange Festival 4 “Sasarasuri”
“Sasarasuri” is a strange festival held in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture, which attracts many tourists because of its adult content.
Sasara-suri begins with a priest praying to a large rock in the village that is a sacred object. After praying, Shinto priests, shrine maidens, and parishioners form a line and walk to Sengoku Suwa Shrine while playing flutes and drums.
The “Sasara man”, a characteristic of the festival, appears alongside the procession of Shinto priests. Sasarao has a striking appearance, wearing a red and black Hyottoko or Okame mask, a sloppy undergarment, and mismatched footwear. He holds a long wooden stick in the shape of a penis in his hand, and rubs it against bamboo to make a sound as he chases women and children around, praying for the prosperity of his descendants.
When you arrive at Chikoku Suwa Shrine, it’s humorous to see Sasara man interfering with the “lion dance” performed on stage.
Strange Festival 5 “Shineri Benten Tataki Jizo Festival”
The “Shineri Benten Tataki Jizo Festival” has been held in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture since the Edo period, and is famous as a strange festival that even tourists can participate in.
During the Shineri Benten Tataki Jizo Festival, stalls are spread out along the main street from Kannonji Temple to Bentendo Temple, and events such as Benten Dance and Lucky Mochi Throwing are held on a grand scale. At the festival, men shout “Shineri Benten!” and pinch women’s arms (“Shineri” in the local dialect), and women shout “Tataki Jizo!” and pat the men on the back. It is characterized by the fact that disrespectful behavior is tolerated.
The main feature of the festival is the parade of a huge sacred tree shaped like a male genitalia. The newlywed couple is placed on top of the sacred tree departing from Kannonji Temple and pulled to Bentendo Temple. Once you reach the goal, Benten-do, the most exciting part of the festival is the people going back and forth, saying, “I’m in, I’m not in.” It’s a strange festival to pray for good health and prosperity for descendants.
Strange adult Festivals in various regions
So far we have introduced strange festivals in the Hokuriku area, but there are also various adult strange festivals held all over the country.
When you visit, why not check to see if any events are held?
summary
In this article, we introduced the meaning of genital worship and the strange adult festivals that have been passed down in the Hokuriku region.
Genital organ worship is a belief that worships the vitality of human reproductive organs and prays for rich harvests and fertility. Adult strange festivals that worship genitals are also held in the Hokuriku region, so why not give it a try?
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When you visit for the strange festival, use the store locator on City Heaven Traveler, an adult entertainment shop search site for foreign tourists visiting Japan, to find the adult entertainment establishment of your choice.
[Click here to search for adult entertainment establishments for foreign travelers visiting Japan] City Heaven Traveler
[Q&A]
Q. What is the meaning of genital worship?
A. Genital organ worship has the meaning of praying for a rich harvest and prosperity of descendants. It is a faith that sanctifies the mysterious life force possessed by human reproductive organs and worships it through strange festivals.
Q.What are the characteristics of adult strange festivals?
A. Adult strange festivals are characterized by objects of worship and tools shaped like genitals. There are shrines in the form of male or female genitalia that are carried as mikoshi, or people dance while holding sticks in the shape of male genitalia.
