Japan Adventure

And here come the flag bearers behind us headed back toward the staging area from the bridge.


Meanwhile, a boat with a large basket of firewood hanging out the front is headed this way. Baskets inside the boats contain cormorant birds who will do the fishing for small silvery sweetfish. They will have a rope around their necks so when they are pulled back in, the men can get the fish from their mouths.


That's a lot of firewood!


Something is going to happen now, as these beautiful young women in kimono approach in front of us.


They're taking something down the stairway into the river. Notice the man on the small boat in a grass skirt?


Talking on his cell phone! Great example of "old & new" in Japan . . .


Looks like this is to be a lighting ceremony for the fire boats. The fish will be drawn to the light of the fire, so the birds can catch them.


The young women are lighting the wood with a special lighter - likely with hot coals.


Look at their beautiful hair and summer kimono.


Success! Where there's smoke, there's fire!


And this boat will light all the other fire boats.

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