the Onbashira is an enormous fir tree measuring 17 meters or more in length I meter in diameter and weighing up to12 or 13 tons During the festival four such tree are cut down in the forest Men drag the lags up a steep slop while they traditional songs When they reach the top of the hill they tie the logs with ropes and prepare for the ride down the ropes are cut and the log travels down the hill at tremendous speed as the participants try desperately to hang on This is the most thrilling part of the festival and sometimes people who try to ride the Onbashira are injured by the heavy trees However the last man to stay on the tree is a hero