花火 (Hanabi) – Fireworks

17th July – 文月

In Natsumatsuri (Summer festival), you can often see the colorful huge fireworks shining up the dark sky. Even it is common to do small fireworks with family in the riverside.

The first 花火大会 (Hanabi Taikai = Fireworks festival) started in 1733, at Sumidagawa, Tokyo. The small company called 鍵屋 (Kagiya) is the first ever fireworks merchant in Japan and they shot the fireworks as an entertainment. In contrast, the rival company of Kagiya called 玉屋 (Tamaya) also started to launch fireworks on the other side of Sumidagawa and competed which company could make the better fireworks. Still nowadays, when fireworks appears in the sky, people might say ‘玉屋、鍵屋 (Tamaya, Kagiya)’ – this derives from the competition they did back in 300 years ago. Audiences used to yell the better company’s name to cheer their great works.

Kagiya still exists in Tokyo and is inherited to descendant, however Tamaya isn’t. This is because Tamaya caused fire in the area back then and lost their fame.

The root of launching fireworks in summer time is to reposing the departed soul – for the people who died due to plague and famine. The fire is believed to burn the impurity and shine the darkness, therefore it is treated as sacred.

For the family fireworks kit sold in summer time, there are various range of fireworks included. For instant:

-手持ち花火 (Temochi Hanabi): Hanabi that have a handle, so you can enjoy the handy fireworks. Some have fruits smells, sparkles or colors.

-ロケット花火 (Rocket Hanabi): Hanabi that should be located away from you and after several seconds it goes up to the sky. Small and it sometimes has sounds.

-回転花火 (Kaiten Hanabi): Hanabi which whirl around when you set the fire. The move looks like a mouse so some are called ネズミ花火 (Nezumi Hanabi).

-線香花火 (Senkou Hanabi): Smallest fireworks with a ball at the tip which gives small sparkles. When it finishes the ball falls down so people often compete who can hold it for long.

This year, same as the Natsumatsuri, Many of 花火大会 are cancelled. Nevertheless, the family small firework kits are available in many stores. Why don’t you try those one this year and wait for the huge fireworks for next year!