F E S T I V A L ／ FEST-131
sex
Etsumi-Onishi Otsuna Festival (Rope Marriage Rite)
江包・大西のお綱祭りえっつみ・おおにしのおつなまつり
D A T E2026-02-11
A rice-field rite (taasobi) held in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, in which the two villages of Etsumi and Onishi, straddling the Hatsuse River, each fashion a great rope — a male rope (phallic, about 600 kg) and a female rope (boat-shaped, in the form of female genitalia) — and carry them to Susanoo Shrine, where they are joined in the 'Iribune' (boat-entry) ceremony. Held on February 11, corresponding to the tenth day of the first lunar month, it is an ancient taasobi rite combining phallic worship and harvest pre-celebration. A Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
N O P H O T O
H I G H L I G H T S
Highlights
- 01Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property
- 02Marriage rite of a giant phallic rope (about 600 kg) and a boat-shaped female rope
- 03The huge ropes are transported by hand from each village
- 04Mud sumo is offered in the shrine precinct
- 05A phallic-worship and taasobi rite also known as 'Otsuna-han's Wedding'
D E E P D I V E
Deep Dive
R E F E R E N C E