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Preserving the gassho style, the historic villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama.

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The villages are in central Japan and are known for their gassho style homes.

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Gassho means praying hands. The shape of the roofs is reminiscent of hands raised in prayer.

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The steeply sloped roof structure allows heavy rain and snow to slide off

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without piling up on top. The thatched roof lasts longer.

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The villages lie in an area of heavy snowfall in Japan.

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Many of the gassho style houses were built between the end of the Edo period until the Meiji period.

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Family members gather at the open hearth. They make sure the fire never dies out.

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The smoke from the fire plays an important role.

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The warm air provides heat to the attic and the smoke fumigates the beams and the ropes, fixing them in place.

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A gassho house is made only of timber, straw and ropes. No nails are used.

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When spring arrives, a whole winter's worth of moisture can be seen evaporating.

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But the roofs can only last for 40 to 50 or so years and have to be re-thatched.

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The whole village takes part.

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People line up to put a large needle and rope through the bundles of straw on the roof structure.

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They thread the needle through so it is caught on the other side to secure the straw in place.

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The villagers work their way up together in a line. This helps produce a level surface.

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The finishing touch is trimming the straw on the roof edge.

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It is called katekiri and is carried out by the most skillful thatchers in the village.

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Gassho-style houses have been homes for people used to hardship.

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The warmth and affection among the villagers is perhaps their most precious tradition of all.