Sign at an honored tree. I think it says it's 300 years old.


Stan in front of honored tree. It's too tall to fit in my picture!


And very big around!


Closeup of the needles - fir, cedar, or pine?

Monks were working in this open building today.


Beautiful roof detail.


Tree bending down over a koi pond.


And the koi line up in an organized fashion - Japanese style - for me.


Margie under the giant stone torii gate of Oogata Shrine.

Tagata Shrine - Fertility Festival 3/15/10

***WARNING! *** Some people may find a few of the following images offensive, although none are of actual human body parts - only wood, stone or edible replicas. Further warnings are provided before each questionable image. Thanks for your understanding of a different culture. . .

After a few more minutes' ride, we've arrived at Tagata Shrine bus parking lot a few blocks away from where the Fertility Festival is being held today. We have several hours to look around before the parade starts. Jerry waits for Terry as she gets her raincoat from the baggage area of the bus. It's supposed to rain later today.


Dr Seuss-style trimmed trees along our walk to the shrine.


And a red-painted manhole cover for Komaki Town, where this festival is being held today. It's a small town near Nagoya.


Approaching Tagata Shrine and it's massive stone torii gate.


Yum - lots of food booths set up ready for the crowds expected today. This looks like fresh okonomiyaki being cooked.

And with an egg on top. This looks & smells yummy, but it's still pretty early & we had a good breakfast at the hotel.


Fresh ingredients just waiting to be cooked.


WARNING - POSSIBLY OFFENSIVE IMAGES BELOW:

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Thus, decorated bananas begin the theme of this festival. Huh . . .


And the infamous candy suckers - "kid-luck candy" that we were advised to buy early because they sell out quickly!


Nice package.

Walking down the narrow lanes at the festival where food & other goodies are being sold.


We're not hungry yet, but just checking it out, so we'll know where to buy our lunch! These cakes have sweet bean paste inside, like the ones at Miyajima, but instead of maple leaf shape, these are shaped like fish. Cute!


And delicious! Everything here was being made fresh while you waited.


The guy who makes octopus balls . . . possibly part of the "theme" of the day?


Chunks of fresh octopus.

Little girl deciding which mask she wants. These were very popular among the younger set.


Pickled cucumbers on a stick. See a theme developing here today?


Purchased prayer cards posted near the shrine. I saw several people chuckling as they read them.


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Each card seems to be pre-printed with the image, but the messages are individually written.


Stone fountain sculpture surrounded by smaller uh, stone sculptures. Would you know what these represent in a different context?

Do you suppose they grew this way, or were carved?


Branches are covered with fabric to simulate cherry (or plum?) trees. We think these are for the parade later.


Closer view shows the fabric is actually white with red dots!


Interesting vine trunk - very old!


A fountain for sanctifying with many cups.

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Closeup of another dragon recirculating water. The wooden cups are bamboo and are shared by all.


Outside the shrine. We got here early, but it's getting more and more crowded.


Beautifully-curved pine in front of the torii gate.


On the stage, a group of older ladies are dancing with fans.


I wondered how many years they have been doing this dance? They were very graceful and the music was beautiful. I got a video, and I'll try to post to YouTube - too long for this blog.

Closer view of cherry blossoms & other designs on this kimono.


And a beautiful obi (sash).


Hairdo of one of the dancers.


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Souvenirs! They seem to be a combination of both genders . . . ???


Sake cups but Stan declined - said he could never use one.

Men waiting for the honor of carrying the giant phallus from one shrine to the other. All are age 42, which is considered a very inauspicious age . . .


Stan is somewhat of a minor celebrity in Japan because of winning 3rd place in the Hige (mustache) Contest last year in Kudamatsu. He's hoping for an even higher prize this year. Once these people realized his mustache is real, they wanted to take his picture - he loved it!


Two men singing on the performance stage at the Fertility Festival.


LOTS of eggs waiting to be cooked fresh on okonomiyaki.


Old stone sign & spring bulbs emerging.

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After walking around a couple of hours, we decide it's time for lunch. Stan has been eyeing this roasted corn all morning. It's really yummy! Boiled, then grilled over an open fire with soy sauce. Sweet & juicy.


Margie enjoying roasted corn and a small glass of sake - just to get in the mood . . .


It's just corn, Stan, but it does fit with the theme of the day.


As does this VERY long hot dog, wrapped in a crepe that we shared. Yum!


Mother & daughter near the festival.