Members of the Edo Firemanship Preservation Association showed their balancing skills atop bamboo ladders on Friday in Tokyo.

The amazing ladder stunt was the highlight and main attraction of the annual event, the Dezome-shiki, which is held by the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department on January 6 every year to welcome in the New Year and entertain the public.

Firefighters pretended to be firemen in Edo period, a time when many great fires struck Edo (modern-day Tokyo), displaying traditional skills.

As a New Year’s parade of firemen, Dezome-shiki is held to remind and warn citizens of the dangers of fire and to pray for a safe New Year.