Japan’s Penis and Vagina Festivals
An elderly Japanese man prays at Tagata shrine. (All photos: Jonathan Adams/GlobalPost)
KOMAKI, Japan — It's springtime in Japan and that means Penis festivals and vagina festivals.
It may sound like a gag, but these folk rites date back at least 1,500 years, into Japan's agricultural past. They're held annually to ensure a good harvest and promote baby-making.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.