Tagata Fertility Festival-An Arousing Affair

Posted on April 10, 2007 by Nicole Ybarra

Every March, a group of middle aged men carry an 800-pound, wooden phallus down the crowded streets of Komaki. Crowds of cheering and slightly intoxicated locals, foreigners, and pregnant women, push and shove for the chance to rub the sacred member which they believe will bring good luck and fertility. This eccentric festival begins with the offering of traditional Japanese sake, which is blessed and distributed among the crowd.

Before the 2.5 meter long phallus is carried ceremoniously into the “female” shrine, it is on display for the public to take photos with. Because the event is such a draw for tourists, the local media is eager to take photos of foreigners, in interesting poses in front of the phallus. My friend and I felt like celebrities as the cameras flashed and we were interviewed about our first impressions by the local news.

The festival begins around 2pm and lasts for approximately two hours. Throughout the day, cultural events take place, including a fan dance, a swashbuckling sword demonstration, and local musicians. The shrine is surrounded by vendors selling suggestive souvenirs such as penis lollipops, penis sake sets, and genitalia ashtrays. There are also yakitori tables, crepe stands, chocolate covered bananas, and deliciously grilled meats. The final procession of the sacred symbol ends at the entrance of the female shrine where the festival officials throw hundreds of rice cakes to the awaiting crowd.

A smaller, but equally unique festival is held on April 1 in Kawasaki at the Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine which can be reached by train. Kawasaki Daishi station is a 30min train ride from Shinagawa Station. Take the Keikyu line to Keikyu Kawasaki Station and transfer to the Keikyu Daishi line. A one-way ticket is ¥230. The temple grounds are located about a 15 min walk away. You don’t want to miss it!