Taimatsu Akashi fire festival, a traditional fire festival dating back to the 16th century, was held in Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, November 9, 2019. /VCG Photo

Held on the second Saturday of November, the festival features 22 massive, 10-meter tall, three-ton torches blaze brightly in the night sky. /VCG Photo

This is not a celebratory festival, but for the repose of souls so that the large number of samurai and commoners who lost their lives in the war that occurred in this area 420 years ago can rest in peace. /VCG Photo