Japan Adventure

WARNING - POSSIBLY OFFENSIVE IMAGES BELOW!
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I read that women who participate and have the honor of carrying these "good luck" uh, members, are all age 36, considered an unlucky age for women.


And here comes the star of the show. Every once in a while, the 12 men carrying their burden, would lift it up and twirl all the way around. Sorry I didn't get a video, but it got a little too wild for me & Stan was taking photos over my head. (I'm sure you can find some on YouTube though.)


Too big to fit . . . It measures 2.5 meters (13 feet) long and weighs 280 kilograms (620 pounds), and adding in the weight of its shrine, the bearers are basically struggling under a weight of 400 kilograms (885 pounds). At least 60 men in total, who are all aged 42 work in teams of 12. For women the unlucky age is 36; for men 42.


And there it goes . . . Each year, a new giant wooden phallus is carved from a large hinoki (cypress) tree. In Japan newly-made objects are thought to express more purity and vitality. The tree is brought to the shrine for purification rituals during the coldest part of the winter, before a master craftsman begins to shape it. The craftsman uses only traditional tools and wears clothing that has also been purified through rituals at the shrine. Each year, the "old model" is sold & a new one created.


Since I don't want any more fertility, I declined a touch, but most women were reaching out. I was told it was also a wish for good luck & health. I decided I'd just have to take my chances . . . The tiny rope was strung at the last minute, and actually worked to keep back the crowd.