Japan has tons of holiday festivals, called “Matsuri” which basically means, “to entertain” or “attend to” in English. These Matsuri are a time for singing, dancing, drinking…lots of drinking…and giving thanks to Gods, seasonal-changes, ancestors, etc.
While most are simply people in traditional costumes, playing music and dancing, some are sexual, violent, and even dangerous. Let’s talk about those ones, shall we?
Dezomeshiki – New Year Firefighter’s Extravaganza
(You’ll see lots of men in thongs in Japanese festivals.)
Dezomeshiki is a New Year celebration on January 6th in Tokyo, with other cities having smaller versions. Firefighters come out and show the public how much ass-kicking, death-defying, water-wasting displays of firefighting skill they have as their disposal.
(Japanese Firefighters perform amazing ladder tricks high above clouds, er crowds.)
They also show off all the tiny fire-trucks, and fireproof suits and helmets they’ve bought that year.
(Firefighters proving bigger isn’t always better.)
(Some of the fancy fireproof suits on parade or searching for E.T.)
Onda Matsuri – The Sexy Rice-Planting Festival
Onda Matsuri takes place near Nara in early February. It’s a rice-planting festival meant to pray for the fertility of the fields and of the people. It’s been held annually for over 1000 years!
It starts off tame enough, with 14 women dressed in white carrying portable shrines filled with food to give to the Gods.
But later in the day, the people gather to watch a play about a Tengu (Devil) getting it on with his new bride (played by a man) while an old-man instructs the Tengu in the art of love-making. (Got all that?)
The Tengu finishes the play by wiping the thighs of the bride and throwing the paper into the audience. If you are lucky enough to grab a piece of used paper, you are ensured fertility for the following year! Woohoo!
Eyo Matsuri – Naked Festival
The Eyo festival in Okayama is a popular festival where men gather in a temple, get into loin-cloths (or don’t!) and beat the crap out of one-another while trying to recover a bundle of sticks thrown by priests at midnight.
It may look like something out of Indiana Jones, but it’s serious business. A few years ago, over 9,000 men gathered and a few were trampled to death in the frenzy!
I think I’ll pass…
Seijin no Hi - Coming Of Age Day
Coming-of-Age Day is in January. Thousands of 20-year olds dress-up and head to the temples to ask for blessings from the priests.
Once blessed they are off to enjoy their new freedoms as full-fledged adults—drinking, smoking, and voting like crazy! (OK, probably not so much voting…but they COULD.)
Perfectly legal!
“Hey baby, let’s go make some mistakes together.”
These are just a few of the HUNDREDS of festivals and holidays in Japan that happen all year long. It’s a wonder they get any work done at all.
What's your favorite Japanese holiday? Tell us in the comments!
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