Kanamara Matsuri-2010: Annual Shinto Fertility Festival in Japan
It was in the month April this year in 2010 when Kanamara Matsuri festival was held with great pomp and cheers at Kawasaki in Japan. It is an annual Shinto fertility festival held every year at Kanayama Shrine in Japan. Kanamara Matsuri really holds interesting aspects for visitors internationally. In this festival penis is treated as the central theme and is displayed wooden penis of enormous size everywhere during the celebration. Penis is also displayed everywhere in decorations, carved vegetables and mikoshi parade. The Kanayama Shrine is the hosting center of Kanamara. It is a penis venerating building that is held in high esteem by prostitutes. They believe that praying at this shrine will protect them from sexually transmitted diseases. 
It is said that Kanayama Shrine holds divine powers. Praying here during Kanamara Matsuri festival ensures prosperity in business, success, good marriage, easy birth of children and mutual harmony between married couples. There is a legend according to which a demon having sharp teeth, hid in the vagina of a young girl. The young girl sought aid of a black smith who made an iron penis for her. The demon’s teeth were broken with this iron phallus which was enshrined as a sacred symbol. The festival holds great attraction among tourists and visitors coming from international destinations.
