٠٠:٠٣:٤٧The annual Sagicho fire festival lit up Omihachiman city in Shiga Prefecture on Sunday.
Footage shows the centuries-old tradition, beginning with spirited battles between participants carrying beautifully decorated bamboo floats, before the floats were set ablaze to bid farewell to winter and welcome the spring.
People can also be seen chanting, pushing each other, and engaging in combat on the bamboo creations, before igniting them and dancing around the flickering flames.
The festival has a reputation as one of Japan's most peculiar and hazardous events, although participants and locals alike said they were committed to the tradition.
"I hope everyone has a good time and stays healthy. An injury-free festival is the best thing," said one.
"It's a great feeling. I feel great. Feeling so good. So, we must take care of Japanese traditional festivals. Japan, the best," added another.
According to reports, it all dates back to the 16th century during the era of the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Floats are crafted from bamboo, straw bundles, and paper and meticulously decorated to resemble Nobunaga's iconic Azuchi Castle.
Blaze of glory! Japan's 'most hazardous' festival of floats and fire lights up Omihachiman City in centuries-old tradition
The annual Sagicho fire festival lit up Omihachiman city in Shiga Prefecture on Sunday.
Footage shows the centuries-old tradition, beginning with spirited battles between participants carrying beautifully decorated bamboo floats, before the floats were set ablaze to bid farewell to winter and welcome the spring.
People can also be seen chanting, pushing each other, and engaging in combat on the bamboo creations, before igniting them and dancing around the flickering flames.
The festival has a reputation as one of Japan's most peculiar and hazardous events, although participants and locals alike said they were committed to the tradition.
"I hope everyone has a good time and stays healthy. An injury-free festival is the best thing," said one.
"It's a great feeling. I feel great. Feeling so good. So, we must take care of Japanese traditional festivals. Japan, the best," added another.
According to reports, it all dates back to the 16th century during the era of the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Floats are crafted from bamboo, straw bundles, and paper and meticulously decorated to resemble Nobunaga's iconic Azuchi Castle.
The annual Sagicho fire festival lit up Omihachiman city in Shiga Prefecture on Sunday.
Footage shows the centuries-old tradition, beginning with spirited battles between participants carrying beautifully decorated bamboo floats, before the floats were set ablaze to bid farewell to winter and welcome the spring.
People can also be seen chanting, pushing each other, and engaging in combat on the bamboo creations, before igniting them and dancing around the flickering flames.
The festival has a reputation as one of Japan's most peculiar and hazardous events, although participants and locals alike said they were committed to the tradition.
"I hope everyone has a good time and stays healthy. An injury-free festival is the best thing," said one.
"It's a great feeling. I feel great. Feeling so good. So, we must take care of Japanese traditional festivals. Japan, the best," added another.
According to reports, it all dates back to the 16th century during the era of the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Floats are crafted from bamboo, straw bundles, and paper and meticulously decorated to resemble Nobunaga's iconic Azuchi Castle.