The pillars actually have an interesting historic background, having been used in two religious rituals that have been carried out uninterrupted for 1200 and counting.
The first of these rituals is called "Yamadashi", in which the pillars are decorated with regalia and ropes before young men ride them down on steep hill slopes. This frequently produces accidents, but the tradition is carried out nonetheless.
The other ritual is called "Satobiki" and involves the ceremonial placement of onbashira in the foundations of the Suwa Grand Shrine, with a ceremonial group of log bearers that ride the log as its being raised and sing from the top of the log to signify that it has been raised.
[–] ArsCortica [S] ago
The pillars actually have an interesting historic background, having been used in two religious rituals that have been carried out uninterrupted for 1200 and counting.
The first of these rituals is called "Yamadashi", in which the pillars are decorated with regalia and ropes before young men ride them down on steep hill slopes. This frequently produces accidents, but the tradition is carried out nonetheless.
The other ritual is called "Satobiki" and involves the ceremonial placement of onbashira in the foundations of the Suwa Grand Shrine, with a ceremonial group of log bearers that ride the log as its being raised and sing from the top of the log to signify that it has been raised.