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Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-5 / Origin of Fireworks

2016.08.23

Fireworks

Although it’s hard to say where fireworks first started,

it is said that the origin of fireworks were started from China.

People used to use it as a signal fire on the Great Wall of China for a means of

communication in the period of the first emperor in China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C).

 

During that time, fireworks did not look how they do in the present time,

it was not for an entertainment purpose at all.

 

And it is said that the modern fireworks which make multihued and bright sparks were started

in Italy in the 14th century. According to records, fireworks were used to be put on floats

during Christian festivals and they made noise and sparks.

 

In Japan, the modern types of fireworks were started in Edo Period (1603-1868 CE)

it became popular around this time.

 

As I introduced in our previous blogs that there were two of famous pyrotechnicians

in the Edo Period, “Kagiya” and “Tamaya”, they played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan.

 

Now, we know that the origin of fireworks is from China.

 

I would like to share a video of “New China TV”,

“Chinese New Year Fireworks Show in New York City”. Please enjoy!

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

 

 

T.F

The Season of Autumn Mountain is Coming Soon

2016.08.22

Sports

It has still been very hot in Fukui and I am sick of the heat now. The good news is that the season of autumn mountain is coming soon which means that it will be cooler soon.

 

Last October, I went on hiking to Mt. Akausagi, where is located between Fukui and Ishikawa Prefectures. The autumn leaves I saw on the mountain were amazing. Right before the season of autumn mountain, I decided to divide a video I took at the mountain into three clips.

This is a breakaway broadcasting without description and it is pretty long but please enjoy watching the autumn leaves as if you are actually walking on the mountain. First of the three is one third of the video of that hiking day. Although many of the members of a hiking group whom I went on with were in their 70’s, I was amazed by how good walkers they were.

(T.S)

 

Amazing autumn leaves

 

We took a picture on the top of the mountain.

You should visit at least once “Kyoto State Guest House”

2016.08.21

Kyoto and Nara

In Kyoto City, where is said to be the symbol of Japanese culture, The Kyoto State Guest House was built in 2005, for the purpose of welcoming cordially distinguished guests from abroad and deepening the understanding of Japanese history, tradition and culture.
And it has been opened to the public from this year.

 

The building adopts half-hipped roofs and the style of a tea-ceremony house.
Also, it is surrounded by a traditional mud wall with a roof. So it is dignified Japanese style. Traditional skills such as tea ceremony house carpenter, plasterer, gardening and cutting gold leaf are utilized.That is to say, it is filled with the seasoned artistry of Kyoto artisans.
Then again, they are far from ornate and so natural that you may not notice in passing by.
For example, when you open a sliding door, the wooden frame’s grain matches beautifully another one’s pattern.

 

In the garden, there is only one cherry tree. Although cherry blossoms are symbol of Japanese spring, its role is as a part of the appearance of the garden. I have heard that Prime Minister of Austria who stayed before was gazing the garden insatiately alone.

 

The application for the opening to the public for August and September was already closed.
As for after October, they will announce it soon. Please check their website below. (H.S)

 

Public Opening of the Kyoto State Guest House

 





 

※The photos were taken by a friend of mine

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

2016.08.19

Fireworks

One of the highlights of the Japanese summer is fireworks.

 

Have you ever seen Japanese fireworks displays?

 

Have you ever heard people shouting “Tamaya” and/or “Kagiya” to the fireworks?

 

Do you know what “Tamaya” and “Kagiya” are?

 

Tamaya and Kagiya are the family names of two of Japan’s most famous and historical pyrotechnicians who played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan

during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

 

Tamaya was an apprentice to Kagiya at the beginning.

Tamaya branched off from the Kagiya and started competing with Kagiya.

They both were great so that viewers shouted their names to praise them.

 

However, Tamaya accidently caused a firework fire in 1843 which destroyed a good deal of the city. The fire was considered as a serious crime in the Edo Period.

 

As a result of the fire,

Tamaya was kicked out of the city and had to discontinue their business.

After that, their business was no longer continued by Tamaya,

it has been continued from several people outside of their family.

Nowadays, Mr. Nakajima from Yachiyo City in Chiba Prefecture runs Tamaya.

(it is now called “Ganso Tamaya”. *available only in Japanese)

 

 

The original Kagiya company continues to this day

(it is now called SOHKE HANABI "KAGIYA" Co., Ltd *available only in Japanese),

with the 15th generation head continuing to preserve the tradition.

 

Akiko Amano is the 15th-generation director and she is the first female head of a pryotechnist family stretching back three and a half centuries. She is now in charge of 100 pyrotechnicians.

 

When you look at Japanese fireworks next time, how about shouting

“Kagiya” and/or “Tamaya”?

 

I would like to share a video of “sironekomilk”,

“HD 1080p fireworks Japan beautiful in the world/”

Please enjoy!

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

 

 

T.F

Mikuni Fireworks Display at 10x speed

2016.08.18

Fireworks

We have just bought a wearable camera, “GoPro Hero4”, which we had been willing to have for a long time. One of our co-workers mentioned to us that she was going to see

“Mikuni Fireworks Display” so I asked her to take the camera and film the fireworks display.

The Mikuni Fireworks Display is conducted at Mikuni Sunset Beach in Mikuni Town,

Fukui Prefecture on August 11th, every year. Water fireworks is renowned for the gorgeous splendor of the display.

(T.S)

 

GoPro HERO4

 

Official Website for the 36th Mikuni Fireworks Display 2016

*Available only in Japanese

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