Nagoya Fertility Festival

"Warning, you will see things explicit to the eyes" In simple and broken Engrish, that is how our tour guide started off his introduction to the day. This festival has been one of the most bizarre experiences yet. The only thing I might be able to compare it to in the US is a gay pride parade. So many novelty private parts in so many forms- key chains, sake bottles, salt and pepper shakers- and food- pancakes, candies, hot dogs, and my favorite, chocolate covered bananas. We rolled into the small town in Nagoya after a 5 hour bus ride and were immediately greeted by festival goers wearing their favorite reproductive organ around their neck. To an outsider, this festival looked like some sort of perverted carnival, but as most things in Japan, this was a serious ritual. It dates back 1500 years, starting when a husband was killed in battle and his wife's family prayed to the Gods asking for a bountiful harvest and the ability for more successful conceptions. The town is usually very quiet but on March 15th every year it turns into lively expressions of hope, thanks, and revelry.