Japan’s Penis and Vagina Festivals
GlobalPost
Updated on
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.
Will you support The World with a monthly donation?
Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!