Moontears : tumblr

traditionaljapan:

the nozawa fire festival - it’s one of japan’s top 3 fire festivals. it takes place every year on january 15th. a huge wooden shrine is built as a petition for the health and growth of first born sons. at night villagers rush to the tower with torches. the youngest boys will start with little torches and after them the adults will follow. the 25 year olds fight them off at the base and the 42 year olds protect the top. in the end the whole shrine is set on fire (without anyone on top obviously) making a huge bonfire. the festival is pretty wild and injuries are common. there is also a lot of sake involved… which probably helps getting injured ;)