Water-splashing event in Japan

Water-splashing event in Japan

Performers donning bird-shaped straw capes walk down a street during the Kasedori water-splashing festival in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2023, to pray for business success and protection from fire.

Water-splashing event in Japan

Water-splashing event in Japan

Performers donning bird-shaped straw capes walk down a street during the Kasedori water-splashing festival in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2023, to pray for business success and protection from fire.

Water-splashing event in Japan

Water-splashing event in Japan

Performers donning bird-shaped straw capes walk down a street during the Kasedori water-splashing festival in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2023, to pray for business success and protection from fire.

Strawbird Festival in Japan

Strawbird Festival in Japan

Straw-clad holy messengers take part in a religious ritual, Mishima no Kasedori, in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on Feb. 11, 2023. The event is recognized by UNESCO as an important intangible cultural practice unique to Japan. (Pool photo)

Strawbird Festival in Japan

Strawbird Festival in Japan

Straw-clad holy messengers take part in a religious ritual, Mishima no Kasedori, in the southwestern Japan city of Saga on Feb. 11, 2023. The event is recognized by UNESCO as an important intangible cultural practice unique to Japan. (Pool photo)

Water-splashing festival in Yamagata Pref.

Water-splashing festival in Yamagata Pref.

YAMAGATA, Japan - People in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, splash cold water onto a procession of youngsters dressed in traditional straw coats during the "Kasedori Festival" to pray for prosperity and fire prevention on Feb. 11, 2014.

Water-splashing festival in Yamagata Pref.

Water-splashing festival in Yamagata Pref.

YAMAGATA, Japan - Participants dressed in traditional straw coats dance to taiko drumming during the "Kasedori Festival" in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2014, to pray for prosperity and fire prevention while local people line the streets with buckets and ladles to splash cold water onto the procession.