Seven young gods of fortune. Fertility rite of Dosojin
Description
In Shimofukuzawa, Japan, the local men's youth association organizes the annual D¯osojin deity festival. The festivities are characterized by paper decorations and pantomime, with sexualized symbols promoting marriage and fertility. Young men of the village play the roles of the seven lucky gods, traditional protectors embodying such blessings as health, prosperity, long life, wealth, respect for Buddhist law, and generosity. Those who have left the village to work in urban areas return every January to take part in the ritual, held for the benefit of newlyweds and for the purification of 42-year-old men, who are thought to be in especial danger from evil spirits.
Runtime
68 min
Subjects
Geography
Date of Publication
2007, 1984
Database
Alexander Street
https://www.remote.uwosh.edu/login?url=http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?ANTH;763833