This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to explore a different culture through two lenses, cultural relativism and ethnocentrism, and through this exercise learn about themselves and the other culture. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.
By: Christopher Caslione
Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism both play an active role in our daily lives. While one is instinctively closed-minded, the other requires more of an effort to come from a place of understanding. In this paper both of these terms will be discussed in greater detail. Ethnocentrism is the “assumption that one’s own way of doing things is correct, while dismissing other people’s views and practices as wrong or ignorant” (Welsch, Vivanco, Fuentes, 2017). Cultural relativism states that it is a “moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgement about seemingly strange and exotic beliefs and practices” (Welsch, Vivanco, Fuentes, 2017). For the purpose of this essay, ethnocentric and cultural relativist views of the Kanamara Matsuri festival will be discussed. Before we talk about both of these uniquely different ideas, we first need to understand the history behind The Festival of the Steel Penis.
When an individual from a different culture hears about this festival, they may become curious. This is a festival about penises, after all. Surely there has to be more to this than simply worshiping a phallic and seemingly sexual body part. For the cultural relativist, there is a great history that can be found surrounding this festival. It all began in Kawasaki, Japan where it is said in Japanese folklore that there was a demon who fell madly in love with a woman. This demon, who lived inside her vagina, became jealous and bit the penis off of two men with whom she had sexual relations with. To rid herself of the demon's curse, she married a blacksmith. This blacksmith made the woman an iron phallus in order to break the demon’s teeth. The plan was a success and the woman was no longer a slave to this jealous demon. Because this worked, the phallus was made into a shrine to give thanks to the spirits. The temple that held the shrine eventually became a place of worship where people could pray for a happier married life as well as for the gift of fertility. From the 17th to the 19th century, sex workers from brothels throughout Japan would head to this shrine to pray to be protected from or to rid themselves of STDs. The rise in popularity of praying for protection is ultimately what gave life to this festival which “promotes sexual health”.
An ethnocentric view of this festival for the non-native could be highly toxic. Discussing human body parts can be uncomfortable enough for some, let alone parading around in penis shaped attire and eating penis shaped food. Being a part of such a festival could perhaps feel like a sin and cause absolute panic. This festival is one that could open a lot of fear for the uncontrollably modest and highly religious individual. This type of person may view the entire population of Japan in absolute disgust after hearing or reading about this festival. This type of closed-minded individual would not be open to hearing about the history or even acknowledging the idea that talking openly about sexual health is important. They are not wrong for how they view this festival. An ethnocentric view can be important when it comes to protecting the individual. It can keep someone out of trouble while also keeping up with family and cultural traditions.
Cultural relativism is something that is pretty important when it comes to a festival like this. In American culture, talking about anything sexual can be uncomfortable and when it is not discussed, people can get hurt. Hearing about this festival and having the curiosity behind what this festival entails is something that can help an individual grow. Existing in a manner that supports freedom of self expression is something that can provide a lot of inner peace. Negative judgment is based on fear and there is nothing serene about living a life of fear-driven anguish.
A festival displaying giant penises everywhere is undoubtedly something that may be a cause for feeling uneasy. Understanding that this festival is not one based on perversion may help the ethnocentric. When a previous student first heard of this festival, they couldn’t help but express their unease. “That’s so disgusting!” This is a clear statement of ethnocentric views and a misunderstood feeling of perversion towards this special day. This individual could be used to a penis being seen as perverse and may have a hard time seeing it any other way. Although I can understand this reaction, it is a bit off putting to me. When I first heard about this festival, I too thought that it was a tad perverted but because this seemed unusual for Japanese culture, I wanted to understand what this was truly about. For every ethnocentric view, there may be a cultural relativist one and this festival is no different. "This festival represents the values and history of Japanese culture.” Seeing the value in something so taboo requires a great level of open-mindedness. This student was able to practice cultural relativism with ease and be a voice of reason and good health. After reading what this student wrote, I felt more comfortable imagining myself being around such an individual. Sure this is a different type of festival, but let us rejoice in their cultural choice and not shame them.
Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism are both a part of who we are and can even reveal our current level of spiritual fitness. Assuming that “one’s own way of doing things is correct, while dismissing other people’s views and practices as wrong and ignorant” (Welsch, Vivanco, Fuentes, 2017) is a dangerous and possibly lonely road to follow. On the other hand, having a “moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgment about seemingly strange and exotic beliefs and practices” (Welsch, Vivanco, Fuentes, 2017) may afford great opportunities in life. Digging into the history behind The Festival of the Steel Penis may create an opportunity for spiritual growth, while shying away in fear might hinder this same growth. Either way, each individual has the right to their own view.
Bibliography:
Welsch, R., Vivanco, L. and Fuentes, A., n.d. Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. Oxford University Press:
Kageyama, Ben. “Japan's Steel Penis Festival.” Medium, Lessons from History, 4 Jan. 2021, medium.com/lessons-from-history/japans-steel-penis-festival-a54a6ad35949.
Please go here to learn more about the Kanamara Matsuri festival.
3 comments:
This Is a good read. In my intro class we also learned about the festival of the steel penis. At first heard it makes you think like what the heck. But actually learning about the reason the hold a festival like this is actually a very good idea because it a good way to spread a very good message.
-Christian Wright
This was a good blog. I have heard of a movie called teeth a girls genitals had teeth making it difficult for her to have sexual relations. Always wondered where the author may have gotten inspiration. After reading this article maybe the author of the movie got their information from Japanese folklore. This was very interesting.
-Jasmine Hill
Reading this article was extremely interesting because I've never heard of a "penis festival" but the reason for it is to “promotes sexual health”. reading this blog brings attention to sexual health. also taught me something about another culture -FE
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