spiritual

And the Hunky Jesus winner is . . . Baby Jesus

baby2_hunky_jesus.JPG

Like Folsom Street Fair, the Hunky Jesus and WTF Mary contest marks the SF spiritual calendar of fantasy, spectacle and the sublime. This was the 36th annual contest and my first HJ in many years since I’ve been living in Tokyo.

I like how each Jesus created their own storyline, often independent of the Christian chronology. A 9 month pregnant woman won WTF Mary. “Good timing on her part,” as my friend said. Baby Jesus, “I’m just a baby,” won the HJ category. His is probably the sexiest adult diaper I have ever seen, and he won a lot of attention by pouring milk from his baby bottle across his hairy chest.

Thanks, Sister Roma, and all the good nuns for an outstanding event that brought together freaks, families, and pure joy.

baby_hunky_jesus

Praying- or just showing off- in cold waterfall on last day of 2010

Asahi newspaper explains that this young man is enduring a cold waterfall at Osaka’s Shoukouji temple (勝光寺) on the last day of 2010 to ask for spiritual intervention to secure a job. I wonder if he’s not just flaunting his body with “training” a euphemism for exhibitionist masochism. (Thanks to husband for providing this important news image and story).

Whatever the story is, I can imagine no better image to start off the new year.

Happy 2011 everyone!

Winter naked festival

My Japanese tipster, aka “the husband,” pointed me to this news story and these incredible photos about Hokkaido’s “misogi omatsuri” or festival.

I am not sure what the water is about, but it must certainly add to the masochism that Japanese are often fond of. Making this spiritual event all the more “moe,” only four men perform the ritual while everyone else watches them.

Next year in Hokkaido!