Japan Fireworks Festivals (花火大会)
During the summer in Japan fireworks festivals are held nearly everyday someplace in the country, in total numbering more than 200 during the month of August. The festivals consist of large fireworks shows, the largest of which use between 100,000 and 120,000 rounds (Tondabayashi, Osaka), and can attract more than 800,000 spectators. Street vendors set up stalls to sell various drinks and staple Japanese food (such as Yakisoba, Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, shaved ice), and traditionally held festival games, such as Kingyo-sukui, or Goldfish-catching.
Both men and women don Yukata, summer Kimono (women only), or Jinbei (men only) and attend these events, collecting in large social circles of family or friends to sit picnic-like, eating and drinking, while watching the show.
Fireworks were originally invented by the Chinese, for entertainment purposes, as a natural extension of the Chinese invention of gunpowder. In China, they were first made by firework masters who were well respected for their knowledge of the many complex techniques used to create truly dazzling firework displays. Such important events and festivities as New Year's and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival were and still are times when fireworks are guaranteed sights.
Compared to Western countries, the most obvious and pleasant characteristic of Japanese fireworks are in the creation and firing of eye-pleasing spherical explosions. The artistic concepts of fireworks are different between Western countries and Japan, thus the design, manufacturing process and its structures are different. In Western countries, fireworks are created to be dynamic and powerful, Roman candles, snakes and the like with the sequence of bursts harmonized to the sound of accompanying music.
In Japan, the main creative idea of the fireworks master is to design and create the explosions in the shape of huge balls so the effects are seen equally well, to the delight of all onlookers.
'Hanabi', 'fireworks' in the Japanese language can also be translated as 'flower fire'. This flower image comes from beautiful spherical shaped blossoms such as the peony or the chrysanthemum, well known as Japan's Royal Family's symbol.
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Various fireworks events held throughout Japan during Summer;
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