Japanese firefighters balanced on top of bamboo ladders at Tokyo Big Sight on Saturday as part of an annual New Year’s Fire Review dating back at least three centuries ago. /VCG Photo

The event, called dezomeshiki, is a spectacular demonstration of fire and disaster prevention, which features traditional ladder stunts, simultaneous water shooting, firefighting drills and parades. /VCG Photo

The annual show was first held in 1659, two years after a massive inferno ravaged two-thirds of the capital. The disastrous fire prompted the government to create the nation’s first professional firefighting squad. /VCG Photo

In all, about 2,800 professional firefighters and members of community-based fire companies in Tokyo and more than 130 fire vehicles, helicopters and ships were mobilized for the event. /VCG Photo