Pyromaniac heaven - a wooden tower stuffed with highly flammable material is attacked by villagers with flaming torches, trying to set it alight. Two groups of men at the 'climacteric' ages defend the tower with nothing but gloved hands, the 25 year olds at the bottom hanging on to ropes, and the 42 year olds up the top cheering them on (or it could be the other way around - hard to tell as Japanese people age so well). The battles went on for a couple of hours, until finally the villagers succeeded and the tower turned into a giant bonfire.
On the Monday, we saw the men dragging the logs down from the snow fields and through the town, stopping periodically to chant and thank people who donated sake (there is a lot of sake involved). On Tuesday, the building began, using only ancient methods and materials by the look of it. All that work, literally up in smoke the next night. It's not just for show, serious injuries are sustained. I hope the Dosojin deities (final picture below) appreciate it.
Thinking of everyone at home enduring a record-breaking heat wave and high fire danger - keep cool.
t
On the Monday, we saw the men dragging the logs down from the snow fields and through the town, stopping periodically to chant and thank people who donated sake (there is a lot of sake involved). On Tuesday, the building began, using only ancient methods and materials by the look of it. All that work, literally up in smoke the next night. It's not just for show, serious injuries are sustained. I hope the Dosojin deities (final picture below) appreciate it.
Thinking of everyone at home enduring a record-breaking heat wave and high fire danger - keep cool.
t
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