However primitive the technique, the trappings are beautiful and mood is pleasantly exciting. The men sitting in the shade of the carriage roof play flutes and drums in tunes which remain festive, even though monotonous. Every July 17th in Kyoto, Japan, gorgeous floats are paraded downtown during the Gion Festival. Since the wooden undercarriage has no steering mechanism, a brute force technique is required to turn the four corners of the parade route.