Hanabi – 花火

Summer in Japan would not be complete without fireworks.

During this season, fireworks displays are held every weekend in various parts of the country, attracting many people.
The size of the fireworks is also a summer tradition.

Shidare yanagi

On the other hand, there is also the aspect of competing for the number of shots rather than the size of the fireworks.
In this case, the biggest enemies are rain and wind, but unless something serious happens, the event is usually held.
Incidentally, the most famous fireworks display in Tokyo is the traditional “Sumida River Fireworks Festival.

The origin of this event is said to be the “Ryogoku no Kawabiraki” (opening of the river at Ryogoku), which was held in 1733 by Tokugawa Yoshimune, the 8th shogun of the Edo shogunate, to pray for the end of the plague.

Each time the fireworks are launched from the upstream and downstream sides of the river, they are called out “Tamaya-” and “Kagiya-” as if in a call and response to the name of a popular Edo fireworks designer. Is it a characteristic of the Edo people that these calls are somewhat similar to those of Kabuki performances?

Even today, the name of Kagiya continues to be used as the name of a Tokyo pyrotechnician.

Now, where will this year’s fireworks display be the most exciting?

In recent years, however, this song may be the most popular among the younger generation as it conveys well the atmosphere of fireworks and summer festivals.