In pictures: Japanese matsuri

1 of 10 Japan is coming to the end of its annual festival season. These festivals, or "matsuri", are religious in origin but are as important for their traditional and social functions.

2 of 10 The festival in the town of Kishiwada is billed as the most dangerous. Four-ton wooden shrines corner at speed through the streets. There have been many fatalities in its 300-year history - participants fall off the shrines or are squashed.

3 of 10 More than 30 teams represent the different wards of Kishiwada, and each has its own flags and costumes. The festival dates back to 1703, and was started by a local lord to celebrate the harvest festival.

4 of 10 The elders of the community ride on the front of the shrine, and musicians inside set the pace, mimicking the sound of galloping horses.

5 of 10 The festival takes place over two days, when everyone in the town stops work or school to take part. Each shrine is pulled by 500-1,000 members of the community.

6 of 10 Heavy drinking and pulling takes its toll on participants.

7 of 10 The festival is a major event in the life of everyone in the community - young and old.

8 of 10 It is a chance to throw off the rigours of everyday life.

9 of 10 The town even produces special beer in the festival's honour, and companies offer special insurance in recognition of the festival's rowdiness.

10 of 10 Many in Kishiwada, like this man in his 60s, have been taking part in the festival all their lives.