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Dezome-shiki Edo Firefighter Stunts - Dezome-shiki is an annual event that takes place early January each year, normally sponsored by local firefighter stations. Its purpose is to both warm residents of the dangers of fire, but it is also meant to entertain as well. The highlight of these events are through the firemen’s acrobatic stunts on top of tall bamboo ladders. Similar events are held throughout Japan, in which men dressed as firemen of the Edo Period perform acrobatic stunts. The ladder was an indispensable fire-fighting tool in the Edo Period because the main method back then was to tear down the surrounding buildings to prevent fire from spreading, so there was a need to climb up onto roofs. Extreme agility and the ability to be nimble was required. Huge fires have burned down Tokyo and other cities numerous times, as many homes are built of wood and are crowded together causing fires to spread easily.

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Quirky Japanese Festivals
Dezome-shiki Edo Firefighter Stunts - Dezome-shiki is an annual event that takes place early January each year, normally sponsored by local firefighter stations. Its purpose is to both warm residents of the dangers of fire, but it is also meant to entertain as well. The highlight of these events are through the firemen’s acrobatic stunts on top of tall bamboo ladders. Similar events are held throughout Japan, in which men dressed as firemen of the Edo Period perform acrobatic stunts. The ladder was an indispensable fire-fighting tool in the Edo Period because the main method back then was to tear down the surrounding buildings to prevent fire from spreading, so there was a need to climb up onto roofs. Extreme agility and the ability to be nimble was required. Huge fires have burned down Tokyo and other cities numerous times, as many homes are built of wood and are crowded together causing fires to spread easily.