It was a great day to be a firefighter in Kanazawa. Well at least for the hundreds of firefighters who got up early to show off their acrobatics and (mostly) rock hard glutes to their adoring public as a part of their Dezome-shiki (New Year festival).

James and I got up early, braved the miserable weather and made it to the train station (ON TIME for once) and went down to Kanazawa to watch the firefighters strut their stuff. And strut they did, out in wonderful traditional underwear, which is a fancy way of saying “male thong.” If that weren’t exciting enough, they then sprayed each other with water from their fire hoses. How can they stand to be in such cold weather getting sprayed with icy cold water? “They’re all drunk,” explained the female firefighter standing guard near my group as we snapped pictures from the sidelines. Ahh their ancient secret has been revealed.

It wasn’t all booty, though. First they showed off their acrobatics in the fire ladder, doing different kinds of splits and handstands. It was fun to see, but if I ever get trapped in a burning building because my would-be rescuer decided he needed to show off his Superman pose on top of the ladder first, my ghost is coming back to haunt him.

Click to see pictures. Be warned, there is gratuitous male-thong wearing. Not for people who are offended by male derriere.

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