Tagata Fertility Festival

March 15, 2008

This has to be one of my most interested experiences, yet. Tagata Honen (Fertility) Festival is a Japanese tradition and was a unique experience. Villagers offer a huge Owasegata (aka "Sacred Object", aka erect penis) to the Tagata Shrine, praying for world peace and growth of all living things including rice and other crops as well as the birth of children. In the Tagata shrine, deities are represented by 'sacred objects' of all shapes and sizes. Because the ancient Japanese belief that says Mother Earth must be impregnated by Father Heaven for all things to grow and develop.

The parade begins at the male shrine, Jinmeisya. Before the procession begins, barrels of Sake are opened and handed out to the crowd. The Shinto priest then leads the parade, followed by local musicians playing ritual music on bamboo flutes. Next comes the wooden 'sacred object.' It is 2.5 meters long and weighs 400kg. It is carried through the streets by sixty men, all aged 42, which is considered to be a vulnerable age in Shinto religion. Carrying the "sacred object" is suppose to bring them good fortune. The sixty men work in alternating shifts shouting 'hoh-sho hoh-sho,' while running, stopping abruptly and turning the shrine around in circles until they reach the Tagata Shrine, or female shrine.

When the 'sacred object' reaches Tagata Shrine, rice cakes, Mochi, are then thrown into the crowd. The mochi throwing should not be taking lightly. These things are big and hard, similar to a softball being thrown at you. I managed to stay in the crowd for over half the time. After I got elbowed in the face a second time by a man trying to catch mochi, I surrendered. Colby stayed in and managed to catch one. Our friend, Sarah, caught four!!!

I have to admit, this is the most unusual thing I have ever witnessed. But, I am sure glad we went. There is no experience that will ever come close to this!