Every spring we go to a spring/fertilty/planting festival at the shrine in the area that DH grew up in. Thought I'd share some pics of it.

They start the lion dance at the top of the stairs and work their way down to the first landing where they do a human tower. DH was informed that there is a high expectation he joins the group next year, so that when Zeon turns 3, he can participate. They are always on the look out for more boys.



Zeon was dancing up a storm to the drum beat and he wasn't even scared of the lions when they got near. Once they reach the bottom of the stairs, they form 4 person towers. Not sure how I feel about Zeon being up there at some future point!





The portable shrine that carries 'the god' around the community for the day.


The fetility dance. Look carefully at the short guy behind the one in the red lion mask. He is holding a wooden penis with 'bells'. He dances around teasing the lion, but at one point goes into the crowd. Apparently, it's good luck for a woman to be 'tapped' (meaning she will conceive soon). Speaking from experience, it's also a bit embarrassing!


Thanks for looking!

You've been tapped by the wooden penis eh? Fantastic pictures and the human towers are so cool! Love the picture of Zeon dancing but I'm with you on being a little concerned about him being way up there someday. I'd have a heart attack watching that! I love seeing your pictures! They are always so interesting and neat. Thanks for sharing them!

__________________

Wow!! Those are very neat pictures. I too love looking at your pictures. It's such an exciting experience to witness a different culture. Love the picture of Zeon dancing, so great that he wasn't scared. And look at the little guys in the human tower. That freaks me out!! I don't think I'd be comfy with that either.

__________________

Wow...so they want Zeon at the top of that tower!? Yikes! That is so crazy what they can do...and brave! It looks like a very interesting event for sure. Not too sure about the porable God and the wooden penis but it looks like you guys had a great time!

__________________

Those pictures are great! Thanks for sharing

__________________

those are some really cool pics thanks for sharing

__________________

Those are some great photos. It is so interesting the things that you are teaching us. It is so cool to hear about other cultures. Thanks for sharing.

__________________

Wow that looks really neat. How cute that Zeon was dancing to the drums. I would definately be nervous for him to be at the top. about the wooden penis tapping you, did you conceive quickly after?

__________________

Wow those are great. You guys are so lucky to experience that, even the wooden penis!

__________________

Soooo interesting, Kris! I am curious about the "tapping" timing, too. Did he get you this time?? I always picture Japanese women to be prim and proper so being tapped by a carved wooden penis in public cracks me up.

Love those lil pants Zeon is wearing!

The portable temple is interesting. Exactly what god do they say they are transporting? Something to do with the fertility dancing?

What is the main religion where you are? Is it the same for the whole country? Are you and your DH different religions since you were raised in different countries? Or did one of you convert? Any idea which way you will go with Zeon?

__________________
Stacey (38)
DH Steve (38)
DS Chase 2-13-07

You're always full of questions Stacey!!

I actually never thought of it before, but now that I do, I was 'tapped' in early May and got pregnant that June!! I guess it works!! LOL! He didn't get me this time around though. And your vision of Japanese women is correct, to an extent, and that's why this custom is funny!

I don't know what god it is that the shrine is transporting. Each individual shrine around the country has a different one. Some are even female gods. They all have special powers for different things eg. fertility, aging, fishing, all sorts of things.

Japan has an interesting idea of religion-not like Western culture where you are one religion or the other. In Japan, there is Shintoism and Buddhism which co-exist. You go to the Shinto shrine for some things (like weddings) and then you go to the Buddhist temple for others (most funerals). Shinto is the native 'religion' of Japan and encompasses ideas aobut the origins of Japan, nature, the local community etc. Buddhism of course came from China, but has evolved and is therefore, different from Chinese Buddhism. I don't know all the details though! Of course, even those that have converted to Christiaity often still celebrate both Shinto and Buddhist events. Most people here would not be classified as 'religious' like you might label someone at home. It's a pretty secular culture for the most part.

So DH is both Shinto and Buddhist. I was raised an Anglican, but don't have a particularly strong faith, so religion is not an issue with us. There's no need to convert. Zeon of course will get what little religion there is here just by living here. I would like to teach him more about Christ, but as far as I know, there are only Catholic churches here and since I'm not Catholic and all the services are in Japanese, I don't think we'd get much out of going to church. I would like, at the very least, to get a children's bible and/or a set of bible stories for him so he at least gets some of the teachings. As he gets older, if he wants to learn more, then I would certainly not be against it.

Very interesting, Kris, as usual! Thanks for taking the time to type that out. I didn't realize the Japanese aren't that "religious." Again, my stereotype of that culture is that they are religious, going to temple or however they reference it several times a week. I figured they were one or the other as far as the 2 main religions were concerned and not a mix of the two. I also figured their religions were centered on many gods and nature as opposed to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I agree it would be hard to sit through a service all in Japanese. I don't know what the people got out of the services in Latin back in the day. I need to understand what is going on when I am in church!!!

Thanks for that insight!

__________________
Stacey (38)
DH Steve (38)
DS Chase 2-13-07

Wow, Kris! Very cool! How interesting you got tapped by the penis and concieved shortly after! Love the pictures!! Such an interesting culture!

__________________