Joyous annual Kanamara Festival ⛩️かなまら祭り🌸 HIV Benefit & Cherry Blossom Picnic!

FESTIVAL LOVERS!
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Let's have a JOYFUL day together at the World Famous Kanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭り) or: "Festival of the Steel Phallus" & raise money for HIV Research at this event, with our own late-cherry-blossom picnic, in beautiful Daishi Temple Park!
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The annual Kanamara Matsuri (aka:Penis Festival) sponsored by Kanamara-jinja Shinto shrine, in Kawasaki features phallic images in everything from the decorations to snacks, as well as regular festival food.
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During Japan’s Edo period, local prostitutes came to Kanayama shrine to pray for protection against diseases. Even elderly Japanese & young couples come to the shrine seeking cures for impotence and infertility!
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Two ancient "Kami" or gods of mining & blacksmiths, "Kanayama- Hiko" and "Kanayama-Hime", are enshrined there. People pray to them regarding STDs, childbirth, due to a myth which tells of a demon that fell in love with a woman, then hid inside her vagina, biting her new husband’s penis!
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She sought help from a blacksmith, who made her an iron phallus. Using it, she broke the demon’s teeth, scaring him off for good!
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Later, the iron phallus was placed in Kanayama Shrine as a sort of idol!
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(This legend in Ainu language was published as "The Island of Women" by Basil Hall Chamberlain)
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***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanamara_Matsuri***
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***The Shinto Kanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭り, is a Fertility Festival held each spring at Kanayama Shrine (金山神社 Kanayama-jinja) in Kawasaki. The main festivities fall on the first Sunday in April. The phallus as the central theme of the event, is reflected in illustrations, candy, carved vegetables, decorations, and a mikoshi parade. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoshi***
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The Kanayama Shrine offers divine protections for prosperity, for easy childbirth & marriage harmony.
Today, the festival is a big a tourist attraction & raises money for HIV research. The big Pink Phallus mikoshi was donated to the shrine by Tokyo's LGBT community!
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Many things sold at the festival have the shape of a phallus, from hats to sweets, but there are also lovely vagina shaped sweets & other goodies available, so no one should feel excluded!
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Big, truly beautiful Kawasaki-Daishi Buddhist Temple located nearby is dedicated to the legendary Kobo-Daishi, or "Kukai"! The parade & participants flow back & forth between Kanamara-jinja Shrine & this large, amazing temple which features many gorgeous buildings, pagodas & the park across the street where we can set up our picnic!
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***http://www.kawasakidaishi.com/english/***
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Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-Ji temple is well known for its power of Yakuyoke (warding off evil), and is called “Yakuyoke No Odaishi-sama” among people nationwide.
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IMPORTANT DETAILS: We'll meet in Tokyo inside the Asakusabashi Metro Station A3 ticket gate BY 9:05AM at the VERY latest!*
*(The Toei Metro Asakusa Line station (# A-16) is located is directly below the convenient JR Sobu Line Asakusabashi Station)
***https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-city-guides/japan-stations/asakusabashistation***
OUR SPECIAL EXPRESS TRAIN LEAVES AT 9:15, SO DON'T BE LATE!
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OR, you may meet us in Kawasaki at the South side of KAWASAKI-DAISHI Keikyu Line Station (KK23) in front of the Tourist Information Shop by 10:30. We'LL leave for the event promptly at 10:40!
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ANY QUESTIONS?
If you plan to meet us in Kawasaki, PLEASE let me know in advance!
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Coming late, being a "no-show" or changing your RSVP after the deadline affects your fellow members & organizers too, so please be considerate.
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Wear comfortable shoes & a hat in case it's sunny, as we'll be walking for a while. I will bring a blue tarp, but PLEASE bring your own small picnic sheet & obento or picnic lunch. (There are convenience stores nearby, and food for sale at the event) Alcohol /Sake is OK, but NO DRUNKENNESS, PLEASE!
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There's no set Meetup fee, but we work very hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
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(Suggested donation: Student or unemployed:￥1000-2000, others, pay from ￥2000-5000, please!)
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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THIS WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!
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Your Meetup organizer, Kerry D. 😁