Japan's Sexual Gods: Shrines, Roles and Rituals of Procreation and Protection

Description

Japan's Sexual Gods is an exciting original work about the deities represented by phalluses and female sexual objects in Japanese shrines. Their roles in procreation and protection, their rituals and festivals are described in detail along with unique location photographs. Contents Preface List of Illustrations List of Maps 1 Sexual Beliefs in Japanese Religion 2 Encountering the Sexual in Japanese Culture 3 The Phallus in the ‘Age of the Gods’ 4 Phallic Beliefs and Mountain Deities 5 Sexual Symbolism and Shintō Mythology 6 ‘Erotic Gifts’: The Votive Role of Sexual Objects 7 Ktenic Imagery in Japan’s Sexual Shrines 8 The Phallus as Kami: The Cult of Konsei Daimyōjin 9 Hidden Buddhas and Sexual Gods 10 The Phallus at the Crossroads: Wayside Gods of Protection and Fertility 11 Continuity and Change in Japan’s Phallic Festivals 12 Sexual Beliefs in Contemporary Japan Glossary of Technical Terms Bibliography Index