The Yamabushi, which are Japanese mountain ascetic hermit monks, have walked barefoot over hot coal at their place of worship near Mount Takao.

Subsequently, they climbed up a ladder whose stairs are sword blades, according to L!FE news agency of Russia.

This ritual is called hiwatari, and it is performed to herald the coming of spring and to strengthen the physical and spiritual power.

All those who wish also may walk over these coals, but solely after the Yamabushi walk over them and extinguish the fire.

They believe that fire takes everything bad out of the body and the soul.