Firefighters in happi coats perform acrobatic stunts on top of bamboo ladders. The ladder stunts were the main event of Japanese New Year celebrations. The demonstrations, called dezome-shiki, were intended to warn people of the dangers of fire, and to demonstrate the agility and courage of the firefighters.
Via Old Photos of Japan. (h/t, Coudal) And yes, it’s still performed today.
Great blog.
We could do something similar to demonstrate the agility and courage of MPs.
“firefighters” my foot. They were “firemen”.
Anna,
The sight of Hazel Blears atop a fifty-foot ladder, preferably holding on with her teeth, isn’t without its appeal. Though I think the ladder would have to be on fire and surrounded by lions.
Colourized, shurely?