The Straw Ropes of Kashima Futami

Each year, the rope between the two smaller satellites is replaced. Volunteer firemen build the rope from rice straw twine in Kashima port

The decorative tassels are hung next to the sake barrels

The strands of the rope are braided under the guidance of an old pro in rubber boots

Anyone can lend a hand

The completed rope is transferred to the shrine on Kashima Island, where it sits, coiled like a snake for a blessing

After the blessing, it's off to the boat. The rope weighs a whole ton. It’s stuffed with old fishing nets and slips of paper with the names, addresses and wishes of visitors written on them

Fishing boats swarm to pick up spectators. A ride costs a mere 500 yen for an hour and a half

Out on the ocean billows, telephoto lenses are readied. When another boat churns past, our boat rocks like crazy. The ladies scream. The gentlemen grin

Like a python, the rope makes its way along the wire, helped by the firemen

Everyone with the means is on the water

The volunteer firemen are as adept with a tassel as with a hose

All done but for the evening drinking

The firemen’s boat heads back to port