If you are in Tokyo on January 13, 2014, try to experience traditional Hashigo-nori at Ikegami Honmon ji Temple 池上本門寺. Hashigo-nori is a Japanese form of acrobatics performed at the top of a bamboo ladder. It originated from Edo period firefighting techniques, where is was necessary to signal to a ground crew where the fire was among the tightly-clustered wooden homes.
Hashigo-nori at Tokyo’s Ikegami Honmon ji Temple
The ladders are secured by a ground crew using hooked wooden poles which used to pull down burning houses to prevent the spread of fire.
Hashigo-nori performances are popular at Matsuri festivals, particularly in summer.
