Mobility Resort Motegi Firework Festival
Fireworks Highlights
History of Fireworks
What is Hanabi?
In the 16th century Sengoku period, black powder was introduced to Japan along with firearms, and it began to be used not only for guns but also for battle signals such as "noroshi" (smoke signals). However, fireworks for viewing as we know them today appeared only after the Edo period began. The first fireworks festival in Japan is said to be the "Ryogoku River Opening Fireworks" held near Ryogoku Bridge in 1733.
Fireworks masters active at that time included "Tamaya Ichirobei" and "Kagiya Yahei," whose shop names are the origin of the cheers "Tamaya~! Kagiya~!" still heard at fireworks festivals today.
How to Make Fireworks
Japanese fireworks are the best in the world
Types of Fireworks
"Warimono" are fireworks in which the shell explodes and scatters gunpowder pellets (stars) in all directions. The round and beautiful warimono represent Japanese fireworks.
"Pokamono," literally meaning the shell splits open with a pop in the sky, are fireworks where the stars packed inside fall down. Among these, some move irregularly, and some have parachutes attached to the stars so they slowly descend from the sky.
There is also "kowarimono," where many small shells are packed inside a large shell, and when it bursts, many small fireworks bloom. There are various types of fireworks, and understanding these types makes viewing them even more enjoyable.
Chrysanthemum
Experience the essence of traditional fireworks techniques with a dazzling display of shooting stars and radiating patterns, depicting the chrysanthemum crest. When the colors of the petals change, it is called a "changing chrysanthemum".
Peony
Similar to chrysanthemums, they bloom roundly but without dragging their tails, drawing light points and blooming flowers like peonies. They have a refreshing delicate beauty and brighter light than chrysanthemums. Among them, bright stars made with magnesium and other materials are called "Dahlia".
Yanagi
When the fireworks burst, the light falls from the sky like willow branches. Recently, there are various colored willows such as colored willows, and some change color when they fall.
Coconut
Looks just like a coconut tree with fireworks spreading out like coconut leaves. One of the representative fireworks of summer.
Star Mine
It is a combination of multiple fireworks that are continuously launched to create one theme.
Senrin
This is a firework that bursts open with multiple small balls packed inside, all at once, a moment after the firework ball explodes in the sky. Using small balls in various colors in the shape of chrysanthemums creates a "thousand chrysanthemums" effect.
Types (Saturn, butterfly, etc.)
Fireworks that draw various shapes such as hearts, smiles, butterflies, and Saturn with dots and lines of light. Some fireworks are not spherical, so depending on the direction they open, they may be difficult to see.
Size and Types of Fireworks
Firework shells are referred to by their size numbers such as 3, 4, and so on. The larger the shell, the larger the diameter of the firework burst in the sky becomes, measuring about 50 meters for a 2.5 size shell and about 320 meters for a size 10 shell.
While size is important, shells of size 5 and above are said to be best for creating more delicate colors and shapes. In firework competitions, the beauty and originality of size 10 (1 shaku) shells are often contested.
Difference between foreign and Japanese fireworks
Japanese Fireworks to be Proud of in the World
1. They bloom perfectly round, large, and orderly.
2. Each star of the petals changes color vividly.
3. It is possible to layer double and triple cores concentrically.
Additionally, because Western-style cylindrical fireworks do not scatter in all directions in the sky, they do not open into perfect spheres like Japanese fireworks. However, some are characterized by connecting multiple shells together, allowing them to transform in multiple stages in the sky.
On the other hand, in Japan, from shells called large shells of size 7 or greater, exquisite and magnificent expressive power becomes a prominent feature.
Furthermore, Japanese fireworks artisans have skillfully utilized Japanese paper (washi) to perfect the technique of creating double and triple concentric circles.
Fireworks with triple, quadruple, and even quintuple cores are the masterful craftsmanship that Japan proudly presents to the world.
Good Fireworks Viewing
4 Tips for Watching Great Fireworks
1. Good sitting position
The shell opens at its apex.
Ideally, fireworks shells open at their highest point. When the shell opens at the moment it changes from ascending to descending, the stars spread out evenly in a round shape without being affected by vertical forces. This is called "good shell sitting." If the shell opens while still rising, it forms a fan shape; if it opens while falling, the stars streak, and it does not form a perfect sphere.
2. Good for Bon Festival
The spread matches the size of the shell, opening into a perfect spherical shape
The shape created when the fireworks open and the stars scatter simultaneously is called the "bon." The best is considered to be a large, beautiful, perfect sphere, which is referred to as "good bon." Fireworks that open into shapes that are not perfect circles but appear as distorted ovals or irregular shapes, or those that do not have a spread matching the size of the shell, cannot be considered good fireworks.
3. Good for stiff shoulders
The scattered stars fly straight in a radial pattern, forming a circular shape.
Fireworks whose stars fly radially from the shell are considered the best, and this is called "good shoulder spread." It is not good if the stars flutter and swim at the tips, fly to unexpected places, or if there are "missing stars" that fail to ignite and are absent from where they should be, resulting in a sparse appearance.
4. Evenly aligned disappearing mouth
All the stars disappear simultaneously in a flash.
The timing of the stars disappearing greatly affects the beauty of fireworks. Ideally, all the stars change color simultaneously and burn out at the same time. The moment when the stars burn out is called the "disappearing mouth," and when countless stars that have radiated outward vanish all at once rather than scattered individually, the fireworks appear more refined and give a more beautiful impression. This is called "evenly aligned disappearing mouth." Also, for fireworks whose stars change color while flying, those whose colors change simultaneously are considered better fireworks.
Cooperation: Public Interest Incorporated Association Japan Fireworks Association
Source: Fireworks Introduction
