Japan Sendai City Performance by traditional firefighters

Until around 1870, firefighting operations relied on "destructive firefighting"—a method involving the demolition of buildings to prevent the spread of fire. Firefighters would climb onto the roofs of buildings slated for demolition and wave a *matoi* (a traditional fire brigade standard) to signal their movements.

The tradition of firefighters performing acrobatic feats on ladders dates back approximately 350 years.

Sendai City has seven volunteer fire corps, each maintaining its own ladder performance team. This practice is currently designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Sendai City.