Feather-topped pole captivate festival-goers in west Japan

The Akiba Festival took place in the Kochi Prefecture of Western Japan, with people dressed as samurai warriors and old-fashioned firefighters. The participants paraded uphill to the sound of Japanese drums and flutes, and carriers of a golden portable shrine rocked it vigorously during the march.

After arriving at a Shinto shrine, two men hurled a roughly 7-meter-long pole back and forth between them. The powerful tosses of the feather-topped rod drew rounds of applause from viewers. The Festival always takes place every February. It is said to have originated more than 200 years ago and is one of three major festivals in the prefecture.